Online Retirement Application (ORA) Effective January 1, 2026
The Office of Personnel Management has introduced a new system to process retirement applications. The Online Retirement Application (ORA) is a secure, fully digital system that replaces the paper-based process. USPS is now processing all optional retirement applications through ORA. (Disability applications will continue to be accepted through the legacy process using paper forms.)
To begin the retirement application process:
- Ensure that you have a valid, personal email address and a login.gov account
- Contact HRSSC at 877-477-3273, Option 5 and provide your personal email that is linked to your Login.gov account\
- HRSSC will initiate you account using your provided personal email address
- You will receive an email invitation with instructions for accessing ORA
- Log in securely using your Login.gov account to access ORA. The system will prompt you to link your account and create a digital signature PIN, which you will use to certify your retirement application
Once you have accessed ORA, you can begin to prepare your retirement package by completing your application and uploading PDF versions of your supplemental documents (e.g., SF 2818, W4P, Marriage Certificate, and Spouse’s Consent. The Postal Service will be providing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and additional information in the Retirement Guide regarding this application process in the coming weeks.
