If your employer participates in the unused sick leave program, the value of half of your PERS-allowed, accumulated, unused sick leave (up to eight hours per month, less actual usage) may be included in the calculation of your final average salary. The inclusion of accumulated unused sick leave in your final average salary calculation will increase your retirement benefits under the Full Formula and Formula Plus Annuity benefit calculations. However, it will not impact the Money Match calculation because final average salary is not a factor in this calculation.
The maximum rate at which you may accrue sick leave for the purpose of the PERS sick leave program is limited and may be different than the rate you actually accrue sick leave with your employer.
For PERS purposes, the maximum sick leave accrual rate is the lowest rate of accrual for any employee of the employer who is entitled to sick leave, but by statute may not exceed eight hours per month. If the lowest sick leave accrual rate is six hours per month for an employee group that is covered under the sick leave policy, then the maximum rate is six hours per month for all of their employees. If the lowest sick leave accrual rate is 12 hours per month for an employee group that is covered under the sick leave policy, then the maximum rate allowed is eight hours per month. This is often referred to as “capping” unused sick leave pursuant to the statutory requirements.
Your maximum accumulated unused sick leave includes any capped unused sick leave transferred in from a previous employer, and any reinstated sick leave. Total actual sick leave used must be deducted from this maximum capped unused sick leave.
If you have questions about your allowed accumulated unused sick leave, please talk with your employer, because each individual employer may have a different rate of sick leave.