How much does my unused sick leave add to my FERS annuity?
FERS counts 100% of your unused sick leave as extra service when it figures your annuity. OPM converts hours using a 2,087-hour work year, so about 174 hours equals one month. Sick leave raises the amount, but it can't help you reach a retirement age or service requirement.
Your numbers
How we worked this out
The rule
Since January 1, 2014, FERS retirees get credit for all of their unused sick leave in the annuity computation (5 U.S.C. 8415). OPM adds the sick leave to your actual service, then drops any extra days that don't make a full month. A month is 1/12 of a 2,087-hour year, about 173.9 hours, and a day is 2,087 ÷ 360, about 5.8 hours. Read OPM's explanation on its FERS computation page.
- It adds to the amount only. Sick leave can't make you eligible sooner. If you need 30 years for an unreduced annuity at your Minimum Retirement Age, sick leave doesn't count toward the 30.
- It doesn't count toward the FERS supplement. Whether it can help you reach the 20 years needed for the 1.1% multiplier at 62 isn't spelled out on OPM's pages, so ask your benefits office before you count on it.
- Part-time schedules convert differently. Ask your benefits office if you worked part time.
- Leave you're paid for doesn't count. Annual leave is paid out as a lump sum, not added to service.
Our full guide covers the details: FERS sick leave credit explained. To see your whole annuity, try the FERS and TSP Planner.
An estimate, not advice. We aren't part of OPM. Your agency's benefits office can confirm your sick leave balance and service.