Federal Retirees Complain of Delayed Tax Forms as Democrats Demand Answers

Some federal retirees say they did not receive tax forms from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on time, leading to delays in filing their returns. They reported issues in receiving forms both online and through the mail, as well as long customer service wait times, and confusion over changing communication preferences. 

Many retirees say they did not receive Form 1099-R, which reports federal pension and annuity income needed to complete tax returns.

This comes after OPM made changes to its retirement services system, making 1099-R forms available for secure digital download without requiring users to log into the Retirement Services Online portal.

Jammed Lines and Missing Forms

In a letter to OPM Director Scott Kupor, nine House Democrats demanded answers about the delay in sending the 1099-R Form. 

“We have heard from numerous constituents who still have not received their Form 1099-R or annuity statements, even after waiting well beyond the maximum two-week delivery window communicated by your staff,” said the letter. 

The letter states that many retirees who attempted to call OPM encountered jammed phone lines, excessive wait times, or were unable to reach a representative. 

Advocates for federal retirees say the complaints mirror long-standing concerns about OPM’s customer service capacity.

“We have long received complaints from members about difficulties getting through to OPM’s Retirement Services phone lines,” National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) Vice President John Hatton told Federal News Network. “But this seems like the worst it has ever been.”

Hatton said the best times to call are starting at 7:40am eastern, and then calling every 30 minutes after. 

For their part, the lawmakers want detailed information on how many 1099-R forms are still unmailed, call wait times, customer service metrics, and any corrective actions planned by OPM. 

OPM Response

OPM said the forms are available digitally and that paper copies were mailed to retirees without online accounts.

“OPM has made 1099 forms available digitally with one-click access, and users no longer need a PIN to sign in,” OPM spokesperson McLaurine Pinover said in an email to Federal News Network. “Anyone without a Retirement Services Online account was mailed a paper copy, and some deliveries may have been delayed by recent winter storms in the D.C. and Northeast region.”