u/Regular-Ambition-902

For those considering posting their refund timelines, please use the stickied timeline format posted here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/FERSrefund/s/qzJlW618tw

For all those who have recently received their refunds, congrats! And thank you to those contributing their timelines/experiences.

If your app was logged by OPM in February 2026, you may post comments and questions in this mega thread instead of making a separate thread.

Purchased directly from Tesla in June 2022 with ~4,700 miles for $57k (before taxes). I’ve personally driven about 106,000 miles since then.

Current battery: 254 miles displayed at 100% charge (original battery).

Repairs during ownership (all performed through Tesla service centers):
FSD retrofit to HW3 (no charge)
Driver seat harness
Occupant camera
12V battery (proactively replaced)
A/C compressor (~91k miles)
Rear drive unit oil pump failure (~91k miles, covered under warranty)
Front upper control arms (~110k miles)

Maintenance:
~$1,700 in tires (replaced twice)
~$4,000 in Tesla service/repairs out of pocket

Additional items recently identified but not yet repaired:
Front compliance links
Lateral links

Total maintenance and repair costs during ownership: approximately $5,700

Overall, reliability has been worse than I expected. While the car is still on its original battery and drive unit and remains my daily driver, I’ve had more repairs than I anticipated and now have additional suspension work on the horizon.

For those with 2018 LR RWDs over 100k miles, what repairs did you encounter between 100k and 200k miles?

Just sharing an update for anyone with a similar timeline. My FERS refund application was logged on 1/21/26 and is currently awaiting final review.

OPM had been waiting on timecard information from NFC for several months. About two weeks ago, I opened a ticket with my former HR office to inquire about the missing timecard/SF-3100. I confirmed with an OPM representative today that the timecard has now been received, and my application is back in final review.

I can’t say for certain whether the HR inquiry helped move things along, but the timing is noteworthy for anyone still waiting on missing documentation.

Step 1: Locate Your Congressional Representative
Find your U.S. House Representative by entering your ZIP code at:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Most offices have a Constituent Services section specifically designed to assist citizens dealing with federal agencies.

Step 2: Complete the Privacy Release Form
Before a congressional office can contact OPM on your behalf, you will typically need to sign a Privacy Release Form.

Step 3: Prepare Your Timeline
Including a concise timeline often helps congressional staff understand the situation quickly.
Example:
Separation Date: mm/dd/yyyy
Refund Application Submitted: mm/dd/yyyy
OPM Acknowledged Receipt: mm/dd/yyyy
Current Status: Awaiting processing / awaiting records etc

Step 4: Submit a Written Request

Sample Message:

Subject: Request for Assistance with Delayed FERS Refund

Dear [INSERT REP NAME],

I am requesting assistance regarding a delayed FERS refund application currently being processed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

I separated from federal service on [DATE] and submitted my refund application on [DATE]. Despite repeated attempts to obtain updates, I have been unable to receive meaningful information regarding the status of my case.

I would greatly appreciate any assistance your office can provide in obtaining a status update from OPM.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

What Happens Next?
The typical sequence is:
Congressional office acknowledges your request.
Privacy release form is completed.
Inquiry is sent to OPM.
OPM responds to congressional staff.
Congressional office relays the response to you.
Response times vary widely.
My congressional constituency service rep got back to me within two business days upon initial inquiry form submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a congressional inquiry speed up my refund?
Possibly, but not necessarily.
The primary benefit is obtaining better visibility into your case.
Should I contact both my Representative and Senator?
Most applicants begin with a single congressional office. Multiple inquiries may not always provide additional benefit.
How long should I wait before submitting an inquiry?
There is no universal rule. Applicants generally consider congressional assistance after experiencing significant delays or repeated inability to obtain meaningful updates.
I personally submitted one after two months of waiting.

Spotted a white cat with an all black tail and small black coating/patches by FHS on W 4th St. it was roaming around someone’s yard and wasn’t sure if it was a house cat or a lost cat. Has anyone else spotted this cat too recently? It seemed super friendly and not shy of people.

There is a dedicated sub now r/fersrefund

Please consider sharing your timeline to help others navigate the process.

Disclaimer: Information shared in this community is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Members are encouraged to verify information with OPM, their current or former agency, a qualified attorney, or financial advisor before making decisions regarding FERS refunds.

As this subreddit continues to grow, I’m looking to add a few moderators to help support the community.

Ideal candidates:
• Check r/FERSrefund daily
• Communicate respectfully and objectively
• Help identify and remove spam or misinformation
• Have personal experience with the FERS refund process

If you’re interested, please submit an application through the moderator application form available at the top of the subreddit.

r/fersrefund

Hi everyone! As the founding moderator, I wanted to welcome you to this subreddit. This community is for current (but soon to be former) and former federal employees navigating the FERS refund process.

Topics include:
• OPM refund application processing timelines (SF3106)
• Payroll/service record delays (SF3100)
• Congressional inquiries related to refunds
• Tips that helped move cases forward

Please avoid posting personal information that could lead to doxxing.

If you’re waiting on a refund or stuck in the process, you’re not alone. Hopefully this community can help make the process a little less confusing.

If you plan on posting your timeline, please check the pinned post for the suggested timeline format.

Welcome!

That just means you are not doing well right?

Kind of like recession = neighbor lost the job; depression = you lost the job

Please use this timeline template.

Payroll Center:
NFC
DFAS
Other (specify)

Separation Date:
MM/YYYY

Method of SF3106 Submission:
HR
Direct mail to OPM by self

SF3106 Sent Date to OPM:
MM/DD/YYYY

OPM Received Date:
MM/DD/YYYY

OPM Processed/Logged Date:
MM/DD/YYYY

OPM Assigned to Specialist Date:
MM/DD/YYYY

Direct Deposit Date:
MM/DD/YYYY

Total Wait Time:
___ days / months

Notes:
Anything unusual or pointers that may help others

Hey I just got my FERS refund and I wanted to share the timeline.

12/28/2025 - USPS confirms mail received by OPM.

1/16/2026 - OPM logged refund in system. They said expect to wait 120 days from this date for refund. It also seemed it took like 15 days for them to log my file after receiving it.

5/14/2026 - Refund Received in bank account. It took 118 days from the log date of 1/16/2026. So the timeline of 120 days was correct.