OPM Retirement Services does not have a main fax number. OPM says to fax only when an official OPM form or one of its customer service specialists asks you to, using the number on that form or the one the specialist gives you. The one fax line OPM publishes for annuitants is 724-794-6633, for direct deposit forms (SF 1199A and RI 38-128). Everything else goes by mail to the Retirement Operations Center, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017.
This guide explains where OPM fax numbers actually come from, gives the verified direct deposit number, and shows how to make sure a faxed page reaches your retirement or survivor file.
- No general fax line: OPM states this on its own contact page
- One verified number for direct deposit forms
- Your claim number is what ties a fax to your annuity
Table of Contents
- Why OPM has no main fax number
- Verified OPM fax number
- The number on your form or letter wins
- How to fax OPM, step by step
- Survivor benefits and other paperwork
- Common mistakes
- Frequently asked questions
Why OPM has no main fax number
OPM Retirement Services processes retirement applications, annuity changes, and survivor claims for the federal workforce from its Retirement Operations Center in Boyers, Pennsylvania. Rather than run one public fax line that collects every kind of document, OPM routes faxes through specific forms and specific specialists.
That is why fax numbers you find on forums or in old agency handouts are risky. A number that once served one OPM unit may now serve another, or nothing at all, and a page that lands in the wrong unit has no file to join.
Verified OPM fax number
Verified November 2026 against OPM's own pages and forms:
| What you are sending | Fax number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| SF 1199A direct deposit sign-up (from your bank) | 724-794-6633 | OPM: Annuity payments |
| Form RI 38-128, direct deposit or Direct Express sign-up | 724-794-6633 | OPM Form RI 38-128 (PDF) |
| Anything else | Only the number on the OPM form, or the one a specialist gives you | OPM: Contact Retirement Services |
For mail, OPM's contact page gives the Retirement Operations Center, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017. The phone line is 1-888-767-6738 (TTY 711), Monday to Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, closed on federal holidays.
Direct deposit changes can also be made online through OPM Retirement Services Online, which avoids paper altogether.
The number on your form or letter wins
Because OPM routes faxes form by form, the document in your hand is the authority. If an OPM form prints a fax number, use that one. If a specialist gave you a number on the phone, write it down with their name and the date, and use it for that submission only.
If OPM sent you a letter asking for information, follow the letter's instructions on how to reply. Where it gives no fax number, mail your response and do not hunt for one online.
How to fax OPM, step by step
- Confirm you have a fax number from OPM. It should come from a form, a letter, or a specialist.
- Find your claim number. It starts with CSA (or CSF for some cases) and appears only on official OPM documents, such as the top right of your welcome letter, your 1099-R, or your annual COLA notice.
- Label every page. Your full name, claim number, and date of birth on each page help keep a multi-page fax together.
- Sign and date. OPM asks for your name, claim number, and signature on what you send.
- Scan clearly. Black and white, straight, and legible. Bank details on an SF 1199A must be readable, or the deposit setup fails.
- Fax and keep the confirmation with a copy of the pages.
You can send a fax online from a computer or phone for $2.99, with no subscription and no account. That is a good fit for a retiree who needs to fax OPM once and does not want a monthly plan.
Survivor benefits and other paperwork
Survivor annuity claims, death notifications, and retirement applications are not covered by a published OPM fax line. Mail them to the address on the form, or call 1-888-767-6738 and ask whether a fax is acceptable for your case. If the representative agrees, ask for the exact number and note who gave it to you.
Federal employees who have not retired yet usually submit retirement applications through their agency's human resources or benefits office, not straight to OPM. Your HR office will tell you how it wants the paperwork.
Common mistakes
- Faxing without being asked. A fax that OPM did not request has no unit expecting it.
- No claim number. OPM processes a large volume of paper. A name alone is a weak match, especially for survivors who share a surname with the annuitant.
- Using an old number from the internet. Fax numbers in old handouts and agency manuals were set up for specific units or for agency staff, not as public intake lines.
- Unreadable account details. Routing and account numbers that blur at fax resolution lead to a failed deposit setup.
- No follow-up. OPM says mail usually gets a response within 1 to 3 weeks. If you hear nothing, call with your confirmation details.
If a fax fails partway, this guide to fax errors explains the common failure codes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the OPM retirement fax number?
OPM Retirement Services says it does not have a main fax number. You should fax only if an official OPM form or a customer service specialist asks you to, and use the number given there. Otherwise, mail documents to the Retirement Operations Center, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017.
Where do I fax an SF 1199A direct deposit form to OPM?
OPM's annuity payments page says you can fax an SF 1199A to 724-794-6633. Its direct deposit sign-up form, RI 38-128, gives the same fax number. You can also make the change online through OPM Retirement Services Online.
Can I fax survivor benefit paperwork to OPM?
Only if the form or an OPM specialist gives you a fax number for it. OPM does not publish a general fax line for survivor claims, so mail them unless you are told otherwise, or call 1-888-767-6738 to ask.
Where do I find my OPM claim number?
OPM prints claim numbers, which start with CSA or CSF, only on official documents. Look at the top right of your welcome letter, your 1099-R, your annual COLA notice, or your benefits booklet.
How long does OPM take to respond to mail?
OPM says it usually responds within 1 to 3 weeks after receiving mail. If you faxed at a specialist's request, ask them how long to wait before following up.