Modernizing Federal Employee Retirement Systems

• OPM is undertaking its Retirement Systems Modernization program to modernize the paper-intensive processes and antiquated information systems it uses to support the retirement of civilian federal employees.
• This modernization program, called RetireEZ, is important because OPM estimates a growing volume of retirement processing over the next several years as increasing numbers of federal employees become retirement eligible.
• However, the agency remains far from achieving the modernized capabilities it had planned and it has significant weaknesses in management areas that are vital for effective development and implementation of its modernization program.
• For example, the agency has only partially implemented two of eight planned capabilities; the remaining six capabilities have not been implemented because they depended on deliverables that were to be provided by a contract that is now terminated.
• Further, OPM has begun restructuring the modernization effort; however, it has not yet developed a complete plan that describes how the modernization program is to proceed without the new retirement system that was to be provided under the terminated contract.
• OPM also has yet to address management weaknesses in five key areas: cost estimating, earned value management (a recognized means for measuring program progress), requirements management, testing, and oversight.

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

• Develop a complete plan for the restructured program that defines the scope, implementation strategy, lines of responsibility and authority, management processes, and schedule. Further, the plan should establish results-oriented (i.e., objective, quantifiable, and measurable) goals and associated performance measures for the program.
  
  Highlights of GAO-09-529 (PDF)
• Develop a reliable cost estimate by following the best practice steps outlined in our Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide, including definition of the estimate's purpose, development of an estimating plan, definition of the program's characteristics, and determination of the estimating structure.
  
  Highlights of GAO-09-529 (PDF)
• Establish a basis for reliable earned value management, when appropriate, by developing a reliable program cost estimate, performing an integrated baseline review, and validating a performance measurement baseline that reflects the program restructuring.
  
  Highlights of GAO-09-529 (PDF)
• Develop a requirements management plan and execute processes described in the plan to develop retirement modernization requirements in accordance with recognized guidance.
  
  Highlights of GAO-09-529 (PDF)
• Begin RetireEZ test planning activities early in the life cycle.
  
  Highlights of GAO-09-529 (PDF)
• Develop policies and procedures that would establish meaningful program oversight and require appropriate action to address management deficiencies.
  
  Highlights of GAO-09-529 (PDF)

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Office of Personnel Management

Retirement Security

Office of Personnel Management

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