Frequently Asked Questions

When I left my previous governmental employer, I had accumulated unused sick leave. When I retire, may I combine my previous sick leave balance with my former employer to my current leave balance in order to increase my total creditable service?

At the time you retire, your current employer will certify to the Retirement System the amount of sick leave you have on your retirement application. The sick leave which is used to increase your creditable service is leave that is earned monthly and for which you would receive full salary if you were absent from work on account of sickness. Therefore, if any of your sick leave is not fully creditable for “sick pay” purposes at the time you retire, then that portion is not creditable for retirement purposes.

How are accumulated unused sick leave, and final payments for unused vacation leave and/or prorated longevity used in calculating my monthly retirement benefit?

Unused sick leave, as described above, increases your creditable service at the rate of one month for each 20 days of unused leave. An additional month of creditable service is allowed for any part of 20 days left over, provided the remaining portion is at least one hour. If your four highest-paid years in a row include a final payment for unused vacation leave and/or prorated longevity, your average final compensation may be increased by the extra payment(s), thus increasing your monthly retirement benefit.

Do I actually have to work the last day of my employment before the effective date of retirement or can I use sick or vacation leave for the day?

Nothing in the retirement laws or regulations requires that you actually work the last working day before the effective date of your retirement. If you are a State employee, it is our understanding from the Office of State Personnel that when you separate from service to retire on an early or service retirement, vacation and leave can be earned or exhausted from the last day you worked until the effective date of your retirement. Please contact your benefits office for more specific information.

Will I qualify for an unreduced retirement benefit when the sum of my age and creditable service equal 85?

No. Under current law, there is no “rule of 85” (meaning your service plus age equals 85) to receive an unreduced, service retirement allowance. You must be at least age 60 and have at least 25 years of creditable service. You may, however, use your unused sick leave to complete your service requirement of 25 years. Your sick leave cannot, however, be used to make you older.

May I use sick leave to complete 30 years of creditable service regardless of my age?