Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees accumulate sick leave during their careers. Upon retirement, unused sick leave is creditable service. The conversion of this accrued time affects the total length of service used to calculate the annuity. Generally, every 2087 hours of unused sick leave equates to one year of additional service credit. For example, an employee with 2087 hours of sick leave would have one year added to their length of service for retirement computation.
This addition to creditable service can significantly impact the final retirement annuity. The accumulated sick leave effectively increases the employee’s total years of service, leading to a potentially higher annuity payment. Prior to 1969, sick leave was not always creditable toward retirement. The inclusion of this accrued time recognizes an employee’s dedication and responsible use of leave, directly benefiting their retirement income. Understanding the nuances of this credit and verifying its accuracy are important for ensuring a fair and adequate retirement benefit.