### Question
Can you define what average pay means?


### Answer
**Average pay** is defined as the following in *5 U.S.C. § 8401*:

> the largest annual rate resulting from averaging an employee's or Member's rates of basic pay in effect over any 3 consecutive years of service or, in the case of an annuity under this chapter based on service of less than 3 years, over the total service, with each rate weighted by the period it was in effect

#### Citation:
  - *5 U.S.C. § 8401*
  - Heading: **PART III-EMPLOYEES > Subpart G-Insurance and Annuities > CHAPTER 84-FEDERAL EMPLOYEES&#8217; RETIREMENT SYSTEM > SUBCHAPTER I-GENERAL PROVISIONS**

