Relocation Incentive Waiver Template
Use of this template does not guarantee approval. OPM will make a determination on each
submission based on the documentation provided by the requesting agency.
An agency may pay a relocation incentive to a current employee who must relocate to accept a
position in a different geographic area if the agency determines that the position is likely be
difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive. A relocation incentive waiver must be approved
before an employee enters on duty in the position to which relocated.
Agencies have the authority to approve a relocation incentive without OPM approval for
payments of up to 25 percent of an employee’s annual rate of basic pay times the number of
years in a service agreement (not to exceed 4 years or 100 percent of annual basic pay). OPM
approval is required when an agency would like to exceed this payment limit to make larger
payments over shorter service agreement lengths. Under an OPM relocation incentive waiver,
agencies could approve a relocation incentive of up to 50 percent of an employee’s annual rate of
basic pay times the number of years in a service agreement (not to exceed 100 percent of annual
basic pay).
For example—
• An OPM waiver is not required for an agency to pay a relocation incentive of up to 25
percent of annual basic pay for a 1-year service agreement, 50 percent of basic pay for a
2-year service agreement, or 100 percent of basic pay for a 4-year service agreement.
• An OPM waiver is required for an agency to pay a relocation incentive of 50 percent of
annual basic pay for a 1-year service agreement or 100 percent of annual basic pay for a
2-year service agreement.
Additional information on relocation incentive coverage, approval criteria and payment and
service agreement requirements may be found at 5 U.S.C. 5753, 5 CFR part 575, subpart B , and
the fact sheets at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/recruitment-relocation-
retention-incentives/#url=Fact-Sheets. Agency headquarters-level human resources offices may
contact OPM at pay-leave-policy@opm.gov for additional information. Employees must contact
their agency human resources office for further information.
Agencies may use the template below to submit a relocation incentive waiver request to OPM.
Relocation incentives generally must be approved on an individual, case-by-case basis.