A pluggable optical transceiver having a having a slidable actuator assembly for quickly and easily removing the transceiver from a receptacle cage assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes a curved actuator handle and slide member that can slide in a forward and rearward direction. As force is exerted on slide member, the actuator and slide member slide rearwardly causing the transceiver to become disengaged from the receptacle. In this manner, the transceiver is released and can be removed easily from the receptacle.