April 1996

How to Order Career Service and Retirement Certificates

Every year at this time Federal agencies have a chance to order career service and retirement certificates for their employees. Available since 1988, these certificates may be presented alone or in combination with career service and retirement emblems or pins to recognize employees who have completed certain periods of service or who are retiring.

Career service certificates recognize service in 5-year increments. Certificates for 5, 10, and 15 years of service are embossed in bronze; 20- and 25-year certificates are embossed in silver; and 30-, 35-, 40-, 45-, and 50-year certificates are embossed in gold. Both retirement and career service certificates are available in two sizes, 8" x 10" and 8½" x 11", to accommodate either a folder or a frame. The estimated cost is $12.50 for 50 copies.

Bulk supplies of certificates are available only by "riding" OPM's printing requisitions to the Government Printing Office (GPO). Your agency's headquarters printing officer should submit a Standard Form 1 to GPO. Complete ordering information will be provided in OPM's rider bulletin to be issued in June.

If you have responsibility for ensuring your agency has a supply, you should begin to plan now to determine how many certificates you will need.

For further information on career service and retirement certificates, please contact Martha Williams at 202-606-1695.