Federal retirements processed by hand in an old limestone mine.

In a surprising discovery, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has revealed that federal employee retirements are still processed using paper forms, by hand, in an old limestone mine located in Pennsylvania. This antiquated method has sparked concerns regarding the efficiency and modernity of government operations.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is responsible for handling thousands of federal employee retirement claims each month. These claims are processed in an underground facility near Boyers, Pennsylvania, which has been in use since the 1950s. The mine operates with a capacity limit of 10,000 applications per month due to the constraints of the mine shaft elevator. Consequently, the processing time for retirement applications can extend to several months, causing significant delays for retirees.

This outdated approach involves manually calculating and writing down retirement paperwork, which is then transported down the mine. The process has been criticized for its inefficiency and the backlog it creates. This revelation has prompted calls for a thorough review of government procedures and the implementation of more modern, efficient systems to improve productivity and reduce delays.

Sources:

https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/278049896/us-govt-paid-reuters-social-deception-musk

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/thomson-reuters-9m-contract-with-us-defense-department-draws-ire-from-trump-musk/3481308

https://www.klzradio.com/2025/02/07/u-s-military-under-scrutiny-over-9-million-payment-to-reuters-news-agency-worthy-news-investigation/