FERS Sick Leave Calculator
Convert your unused sick leave hours into additional retirement service credit
Calculate Sick Leave Credit
Enter your unused sick leave hours and current salary
How Sick Leave Conversion Works
When you retire under FERS, your unused sick leave is converted to additional service credit, which increases your pension for the rest of your life.
Conversion Formula
Sick Leave Hours ÷ 174 = Additional Months of Service
Key Points
- No cash payout: Unused sick leave is NOT paid out in a lump sum at retirement
- Only for retirement: Sick leave credit only applies when you retire (not if you resign)
- Permanent increase: The additional service credit permanently increases your monthly pension
- Full hours count: Even partial hours can add up to significant credit
Example Calculation
John's Situation:
- Unused sick leave: 2,000 hours
- High-3 salary: $80,000
- Coefficient: 1.1% (age 62+ with 20+ years)
Calculation:
2,000 hours ÷ 174 = 11.49 months (approximately 0.96 years)
Additional annual pension: $80,000 × 0.96 × 1.1% = $844.80/year
Monthly increase: $844.80 ÷ 12 = $70.40/month
Frequently Asked Questions About Sick Leave Credit
How is sick leave converted to service credit?
Unused sick leave hours are divided by 2,087 (the number of work hours in a year) to determine additional years of service. For example, 2,087 hours = 1 year of credit. The formula is: Sick Leave Hours ÷ 2,087 = Additional Years. See the official OPM sick leave conversion rules for details.
How much is my sick leave worth?
Each hour of sick leave is worth approximately: High-3 × Coefficient (1% or 1.1%) ÷ 2,087. For someone with an $80,000 High-3 and 1% coefficient, each hour is worth about $0.38/year in pension. Over 20 years of retirement, that's $7.60 per hour! Use our calculator above to see your exact value.
Is there a limit to how much sick leave I can use?
No! There's no maximum limit on sick leave credit. Some federal employees have accumulated 3,000+ hours, which can add 1.5+ years to their service record. However, you can only use sick leave credit once - it's not refundable if you don't retire under FERS.
Does sick leave count toward the Special Retirement Supplement (SRS)?
Yes! Sick leave credit counts toward your total years of service for SRS eligibility. If you retire at MRA with 30 years (including sick leave credit), you may qualify for the SRS bridge payment until age 62. Estimate your SRS with our SRS Calculator.
What happens to unused sick leave if I change agencies?
Your sick leave balance transfers with you when you move between federal agencies. It also carries over if you leave federal service and return later. However, if you take a refund of your retirement contributions, you'll lose your sick leave credit.
Should I use sick leave before retiring?
Generally, no! It's better to let your sick leave convert to service credit than to use it before retirement. The pension increase from converted sick leave typically provides more lifetime value than taking a few extra sick days. See examples in our retirement calculation examples.
Related Calculators & Guides
- Main FERS Retirement Calculator - Include sick leave in your full retirement estimate
- Military Buyback Calculator - Add military service to increase total years
- SRS Calculator - Estimate bridge payments until age 62
- High-3 Salary Guide - Understand how High-3 affects your pension
- FERS Formula Explained - Complete breakdown of the pension formula
Related Resources
How sick leave credit affects your FERS annuity
Use the sections below to align this calculator with your real planning questions—each block matches a common search intent.
Conversion rule of thumb
OPM converts unused sick leave hours into additional months of service using 2,087 hours = one year (174 hours ≈ one month).
Interaction with High-3
Sick leave increases service time—it does not raise your High-3 average salary.
When credit matters most
Employees near 30 years of service or age 62+ with 20 years often see the largest impact from extra months.
Assumptions built into this calculator
- Actual conversion may differ if you have part-time service or unpaid leave that affects annuities.
- Final credit appears on your retirement application, not this estimate.
Related Calculators & Guides
Authority & primary sources
Official rules change periodically. Cross-check estimates with Retirement Services at OPM.gov and your agency’s human resources office.
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