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OPM.gov / Frequently Asked Questions / Retire FAQ / Leaving the Government
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Leaving the Government

Questions and answers

Sick leave cannot be transferred to another employee except in circumstances where the employee qualifies for donated leave based on a medical emergency. When an employee retires sick leave is used in the computation of their annuity as follows:

Unused sick leave will be used in the calculation of an employee's or survivor's annuity based on retirement with an immediate annuity or on a death in service. For employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), credit toward the annuity computation will be based on the full sick leave balance at retirement or death. For employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), credit toward the annuity computation will be based upon a percentage of the sick leave balance at retirement or death, depending on the date the entitlement to the annuity began-

  • 50 percent in the case of an annuity entitlement based on a separation from service from October 28, 2009, through December 31, 2013; and
  • 100 percent in the case of an annuity entitlement based on a separation from service occurring on or after January 1, 2014.
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