How is FERS pension calculated for U.S. Representatives with non-consecutive terms?

1. How the basic math works: the core FERS formula

The basic FERS pension is computed by multiplying your High‑3 average salary by your total creditable years of service and then by the appropriate pension multiplier (for example, 1% normally, or 1.1% if you retire at 62 with 20+ years) — expressed simply as Annual Pension = High‑3 × Years of Service × Multiplier ^{[1] [3] [4]}. This is the formula most federal‑retirement guides and calculators use to estimate a FERS annuity ^{[5] [6]}.

2. Non‑consecutive service: years count even if broken

Multiple guides state that “years of creditable service” include all creditable federal service and do not have to be consecutive; breaks in service generally do not eliminate earlier service from being counted toward total years ^{[2] [7]}. In practice that means separate stints as a Representative add up into one total Years of Service figure used in the formula ^{[2] [1]}. Available sources do not list a Congressional‑specific exception to this rule ^{[2] [1]}.

3. The tricky part: High‑3 requires three consecutive years

While total service may be non‑consecutive, the High‑3 average — the three highest consecutive years of basic pay — must itself be calculated from a consecutive 36‑month window ^{[2] [3]}. If a Representative’s pay peaked across non‑consecutive terms, only an actual 36‑month consecutive span will qualify as the High‑3; that can make the High‑3 lower than a naive average of separated high‑pay years ^{[2] [7]}.

4. Practical implications for Representatives with gaps

For Representatives who serve, leave, and return, the pension benefit can be driven by two interacting things: accumulating enough total creditable years (which adds linearly) and whether you can identify a single 36‑month run of high pay to maximize the High‑3. If your highest earnings were spread across two terms separated by a gap, you may not be able to count them together for High‑3 even though both terms still add to Years of Service ^{[2] [1]}.

5. Age and multiplier effects — timing matters

The pension multiplier can change by retirement timing: for many employees the multiplier is 1% but rises to 1.1% if you retire at age 62 or older with at least 20 years of service; that threshold can be decisive for Representatives whose non‑consecutive service pushes total years past 20 ^{[3] [4]}. Guides warn that choosing a retirement date before age thresholds may forfeit the higher multiplier even if you later reach the age — retirement election timing therefore matters ^[8].

6. Other inputs and complications not covered fully here

OPM and specialist guides note additional complications — unused sick leave conversions, partial years credited, special formulas for certain occupations, and possible age reductions — any of which can alter a final annuity ^{[8] [9]}. Several sources emphasize that determining the inputs (exact creditable service and High‑3) can be tricky and that agency personnel records (SF‑50s) or OPM computations are the ultimate source ^{[7] [10]}. Available sources do not provide a bespoke step‑by‑step OPM example specifically for non‑consecutive Congressional terms (not found in current reporting).

7. What Representatives should do next — check records and run scenarios

Journalistic‑style practicality: compile all SF‑50s and pay records to establish total creditable service and locate the best consecutive 36‑month window for High‑3, then run the basic formula or use a FERS calculator to model outcomes; seek OPM or human resources confirmation for final computation ^{[7] [5]}. Many federal retirement websites and calculators echo this advice and provide online estimators to test different retirement ages and scenarios ^{[11] [12]}.

Limitations and final note: the sources used here are general FERS guides and calculators; they agree on the core formula and that years need not be consecutive while High‑3 must be consecutive, but they do not supply a tailored OPM ruling or a Congressional‑only computation example — for final, binding totals, contact OPM or your employing office ^{[1] [2] [9]}.