Collaboration win by @USOPM and @DOGE: after 35+ years of failed modernization attempts, OPM has announced that, as of June 2, they are replacing their 65+ year old paper process with an all digital alternative. This will reduce the average time people wait to receive their… pic.twitter.com/SbLzbUOj7J
— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) May 8, 2025
Federal retirement processing is finally stepping into the modern era. After decades of bureaucratic inefficiency, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have announced a complete overhaul of the system. Starting June 2, 2025, the outdated paper-based process will be replaced with a fully digital alternative, cutting wait times for retirement checks from three to five months down to less than one month.
For 35 years, federal retirement applications were processed manually in an underground limestone mine in Boyers, Pennsylvania, where 700 workers shuffled through 26,000 file cabinets filled with paper records. This archaic system caused massive delays, forcing retirees to wait months for their benefits. Now, with the launch of the Online Retirement Application (ORA), the government is finally embracing efficiency.
The numbers tell the story. The transition to digital processing is expected to save billions in administrative costs. Already, $32 billion in unnecessary contracts have been terminated, eliminating wasteful spending on outdated systems. The shift also means that federal agencies using the National Finance Center (NFC) and Interior Business Center (IBC) must submit all retirement applications electronically, ensuring a streamlined process across departments.
This is what real reform looks like. Joe Gebbia’s team demonstrated that modernization does not require endless studies or bloated consulting contracts. Instead, it takes decisive action and private-sector urgency. The federal government has long been criticized for inefficiency, but this move proves that meaningful change is possible when bureaucratic red tape is cut.
The impact will be immediate. Retirees will no longer face months of uncertainty while waiting for their benefits. The new system promises faster, more accurate processing, ensuring that those who have dedicated their careers to public service receive their retirement funds without unnecessary delays.
SOURCES:
https://www.myfederalretirement.com/opm-retirement-digital/
https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2025/05/09/doge-retirement-change-june-2025/