1. What is Federal Sick Leave Conversion?

Federal sick leave conversion allows eligible federal employees to have their unused sick leave hours counted toward their retirement annuity calculation when they retire.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conversion formula:

Where:

• \( Unused\ Sick\ Hours \) — Total accumulated sick leave hours
• \( 2087 \) — Standard work hours in a year
• \( Annuity\ Rate \) — Retirement annuity rate (as decimal)

Explanation: The formula converts unused sick hours into additional months of service credit for annuity calculation purposes.

3. Importance of Conversion Calculation

Details: Accurate conversion calculation helps federal employees estimate their retirement benefits and plan their retirement timeline more effectively.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your total unused sick leave hours and your annuity rate (as a decimal between 0 and 1). The calculator will show the equivalent months of service credit.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 2087 used in the calculation?
A: 2087 represents the standard number of work hours in a year for federal employees (261 work days × 8 hours per day).

Q2: How is the annuity rate determined?
A: The annuity rate depends on your years of service and retirement plan. Typical rates range from 1% to 2% per year of service.

Q3: Are all sick leave hours convertible?
A: Generally yes, but there may be limitations based on your retirement system and specific circumstances.

Q4: When does the conversion occur?
A: The conversion happens automatically when you retire if you're eligible for an immediate annuity.

Q5: Does this apply to all federal employees?
A: Most federal employees under CSRS or FERS are eligible, but some exceptions may apply.