Retirement Planning: 2026 Leave & Benefits Guide

Plan your 2026 retirement! Understand leave year dates, TSP distributions, Social Security, and OPM application processing for a smooth transition from federal service. Key dates and benefits overview.

Here is the calendar to go with last week’s guidance to help you prepare your ideal date for retirement in 2026. There are 26 leave durations in 2026 for a lot of government staff members, with the 2026 leave year beginning on Jan. 11, 2026, and finishing on Jan. 9, 2027.

Leave Year Details for 2026

If you retire prior to the new leave year begins, you will be paid for the leave that was carried over from the previous year plus the leave accumulated throughout the present year. The “usage or shed” due date isn’t until the first day of the new leave year.

You may choose to begin taking TSP distributions and get Social Security retirement at a different time. For some of you, this retired life from federal service might mark the beginning of your second career. For others, you might be fully retiring and choose to have TSP and Social Safety benefits begin around the very same time as your retirement day under CSRS or FERS.

TSP and Social Security Considerations

The leave year begins on the initial day of the initial complete twice monthly pay period in a schedule year. A leave year finishes on the day instantly before the first day of the initial complete twice monthly pay duration in the following calendar year. OPM has one more reality sheet revealing the leave year starting and ending days for future years.

OPM will certainly obtain your completed application following your day of final splitting up. According to OPM, retirement processing can take several months to complete if you have any of the adhering to scenarios:

OPM Application Processing Timeline

There are 26 leave periods in 2026 for a lot of government staff members, with the 2026 leave year starting on Jan. 11, 2026, and ending on Jan. 9, 2027.

If you retire before the new leave year begins, you will certainly be paid for the leave that was carried over from the previous year plus the leave built up during the present year. The leave year starts on the initial day of the initial complete twice monthly pay duration in a calendar year. OPM has another reality sheet revealing the leave year starting and finishing dates for future years.