How many years do you have to work for the federal government to get a pension?

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How many years you need to work for the federal government to get a pension ranges from 5 to 30 years depending on the retirement system that you are enrolled in. CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System) and FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) are two different retirement systems for federal government employees in the United States and each have their own age and years worked requirements for retirement.

For anyone hired before 1984 is covered by CSRS, while anyone hired on or after January 1st, 1984 uses FERS. Each system has different requirements regarding retirement and pension plans.

For CSRS, that means:

Age 55 with 30 or more years of service
Age 60 with 20 years or more of service
Age 62 with five or more years of service

The FERS requirements are a bit more complicated. You must meet one of the following criteria:

Minimum retirement age (55 to 57, depending on your year of birth) with 10 or more years of creditable service. Under this provision, your retirement benefit will be reduced by 5% for every year you are under the age of 62 (prorated by the month).
Minimum retirement age (55 to 57, based on your year of birth) with 30 or more years of creditable service.
Age 60 with 20 years or more of creditable service.
Age 62 with five or more years of creditable service.

You can become eligible for a pension with as little as 5 years of creditable service. With FERS, for example, for every year that you work, you are eligible for at least 1% of your average salary history. To receive the full pension benefit, however, you must have at least 30 years of service, or reach your minimum retirement age (which ranges from 55 to 57 depending on your year of birth) with at least 20 years of service.

It's important to note that retirement benefits can vary widely depending on your specific circumstances and retirement plan, and it's a good idea to consult with a financial advisor or retirement specialist for more information