Optimal Retirement Dates in 2026 Unveiled
Planning Your Retirement in 2026: A Guide for Federal Employees
As you consider retiring in 2026, it's essential to understand the leave year structure and the process for receiving your leave payments. Here's a breakdown of the key points to help you plan your retirement effectively.
Leave Year Structure
The leave year for most federal employees in 2026 will begin on January 11, 2026, and end on January 9, 2027. This year consists of 26 leave periods. It's important to note that the leave year typically begins on the first day of the first full biweekly pay period in a calendar year.
Retirement Benefits
Retiring before the new leave year begins can be advantageous, as it results in payment for carried over leave from the previous year, plus the leave accrued during the current year. For instance, if you retire on January 8, 2027, you would receive payment for leave accrued from January 10, 2026, to January 8, 2027.
Calendar for Retirement Planning
A calendar provided by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is intended to help plan the best date for retirement in 2026. This calendar is based on guidance from last week.
Verifying Leave Year Dates
To ensure accuracy, employees should contact their agencies to verify the beginning and ending dates of a particular leave year. OPM also has a fact sheet showing the leave year beginning and ending dates for future years.
Retirement Processing
Before retiring, it's mandatory to notify your Human Resources specialist at least 30 to 90 days before planning to stop working. Additionally, the Online Retirement Application (ORA) needs to be completed before retirement.
Please note that retirement processing can take several months due to various factors such as court orders, special annuity computations, past or active workers' compensation claims, missing documents, incomplete or incorrect information, or a change of address.
Important Dates
The leave year ends on the day immediately before the first day of the first full biweekly pay period in the following calendar year. For instance, the 2026 leave year ends on January 9, 2027.
Timing of Retirement
Approximately 25% of all immediate, voluntary retirements are received at or near the end of the leave year. This trend suggests that many employees choose to retire at the end of the leave year to maximise their leave benefits.
For more detailed information about lump-sum payments for annual leave, refer to OPM's fact sheet titled "Lump-Sum Payments For Annual Leave."
Remember, planning your retirement involves careful consideration and advanced preparation. We hope this guide helps you navigate the process effectively. Happy planning!
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