<P> The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) is the retirement system for employees within the United States civil service . FERS became effective January 1, 1987 to replace the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and to conform federal retirement plans in line with those in the private sector . </P> <P> FERS consists of three major components: </P>

When did the federal government switch from csrs to fers