Postponed and deferred retirement both involve an annuity that starts after separation, but they are not the same planning path.

The distinction matters because your age at separation, service history, and retirement category can affect reductions and benefit continuation.

In common FERS planning, postponed retirement is often discussed with MRA+10. The employee separates after reaching MRA with enough service for MRA+10, then delays the annuity start.

The delay can be useful when comparing retirement dates, but it must be reviewed alongside FEHB, FEGLI, and application timing.

Deferred retirement generally describes leaving federal service before being eligible for an immediate annuity, then applying later when age and service rules allow.

Deferred cases can have different benefit-continuation consequences than postponed MRA+10 cases, so the labels should not be treated as interchangeable.