Burn Federal Annual Leave or Time off Award?

[Anonymous]

Hi all

Coming in to the end of the year as a fed, I will be over the 240 cap on annual leave. Assuming I want to take a little more time than what gets me down to 240, should I use more annual? Or should I use some accumulated time off Award time to keep my annual leave maxed at the 240 cap at the end of the year?

It's probably splitting hairs, but my understanding is that you get paid out at separation for the annual, but not the time off Award.

I don't plan to separate, but you never know. All thoughts toward maximizing value are appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Also keep your 240 in the bank — signed someone who didn’t and is struggling to put it back before I separate next year. To my credit it sat there for 10 years but just had a lot going on last year.

[Anonymous]

Award leaves expires as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Award leaves expires as well.

This. Burn time off awards and comp time before touching annual. Also, make sure request annual before the use or lose deadline

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also keep your 240 in the bank — signed someone who didn’t and is struggling to put it back before I separate next year. To my credit it sat there for 10 years but just had a lot going on last year.

What do you mean put it in the bank?

[Anonymous]

Is sick leave also paid out at the end or only annual?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all

Coming in to the end of the year as a fed, I will be over the 240 cap on annual leave. Assuming I want to take a little more time than what gets me down to 240, should I use more annual? Or should I use some accumulated time off Award time to keep my annual leave maxed at the 240 cap at the end of the year?

It's probably splitting hairs, but my understanding is that you get paid out at separation for the annual, but not the time off Award.

I don't plan to separate, but you never know. All thoughts toward maximizing value are appreciated!

From OPM

There is no Governmentwide time limitation on a time-off award. However, agencies should set their own policy concerning the time allotted to use a time-off award. Remember, if an employee transfers to another agency, the new agency is not required to honor the time-off award earned at the previous agency.

Keep annual maxed out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is sick leave also paid out at the end or only annual?

sick leave is creditable service time for FERS annuity computations. Sick leave is also your short term disability insurance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also keep your 240 in the bank — signed someone who didn’t and is struggling to put it back before I separate next year. To my credit it sat there for 10 years but just had a lot going on last year.

What do you mean put it in the bank?

Never dip below 240

[Anonymous]

At most agencies, time off awards expire so you use them first. You also cannot take them with you to a new job, and they do not pay out.

The only situation where I would not use the award leave first is if I was in danger of losing annual leave above the 240 before the award leave expired.

[Anonymous]

What leave plans do you have for the rest of the year? I would find out how long you have to use the award time. Once you know what expires first, use anything over 240 and the award time so you don’t lose anything.

[Anonymous]

Check your specific rules regarding time off awards. In my agency the time off awards do not expire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also keep your 240 in the bank — signed someone who didn’t and is struggling to put it back before I separate next year. To my credit it sat there for 10 years but just had a lot going on last year.

What do you mean put it in the bank?

Never dip below 240

does this happen after your kids are out of school? I can't get anywhere near 240 but my youngest is still in elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check your specific rules regarding time off awards. In my agency the time off awards do not expire.

+1 - no one ever uses their time off awards until they are about to separate.

[Anonymous]

You need to see when the time off award expires. If it is after the end of the leave year, use leave first.