Leave, Holidays and Flexible Work Arrangements
The federal government offers its employees generous vacation time, sick leave and holiday policies.
Annual leave (Vacation time)
Federal employees start with 13 paid vacation days a year, and the number of days increases with length of service. Employees may carry up to vacation 30 days into the following year.
| Length of Service | Vacation Days Per Year |
| 1 to 3 years | 13 days |
| 3 to 15 years | 20 days |
| 15 or more years | 26 days |
Full-time employees may carry over unused annual leave to the following year based on the role type below:
| Description | Days |
| Federal employees stationed within the United States | 30 days of leave |
| Federal employees stationed overseas | 45 days of leave |
| Members of the Senior Executive Service, senior-level and scientific and professional employees | 90 days of leave |
Sick leave
Employees accumulate 13 days of paid sick leave annually, regardless of the length of service, with no limit to the amount of sick leave that can accrue. Sick leave covers medical needs, care for family members, and the birth or adoption of a child.
Holidays
Federal employees get 11 days of paid holidays per year. See the federal holiday schedule.
Flexible Work Arrangements
The government offers alternative work schedules that suit needs.
Telework/remote work
Telework may be offered as a benefit to federal employees but is granted on a discretionary or as– needed basis. Each agency must establish a policy on working remotely that applies to eligible employees on a case– by– case basis. For more information, see a guide to telework in the federal government.
You may also reference the December 2025 Guide to Telework and Remote Work in the Federal Government Note that every agency is different, and the policy for flexible work can change.
Alternative work schedules
The government offers two main types of alternative work schedules to help employees balance their work and personal responsibilities: flexible work schedules and compressed work schedules.
- Flexible work schedules allow employees to build a custom schedule as if they work 40 hours a week. Agencies may establish core hours of business, typically from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., during which employees are required to work.
- Compressed work schedules offer the flexibility to work 40 hours a week but not necessarily over five days. Typical compressed schedules allow employees to work nine-hour days and have a three-day weekend every other week. Some agencies may allow 10-hour days, resulting in a four-day work week
Not all agencies or supervisors offer alternative work schedules, so applicants need to check if this benefit is available for a specific position.
Part-time work and job sharing
Part-time work or job sharing enables federal employees to work part time and continue progressing in their careers.
- Part-time employees work fewer than 40 hours per week.
- Job sharing is a way for two or more part-time employees to fill the same position. An employee may work up to 32 hours a week, although it’s more common for each person sharing a job to work 20 hours a week, 2 1/2 days each.
Student Loan Repayment and Forgiveness
The federal government offers educational loan assistance through two programs: the Federal Student Loan and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Federal Student Loan Repayment Program
Agencies participating in the Federal Student Loan Repayment Program may award $10,000 a year, up to a total of $60,000, toward the payment of student loans. In return, employees must work at that agency for at least three years.
However, loan repayment under this program is at an agency’s discretion and is not guaranteed. Many agencies specify the types of academic degrees that qualify for the student loan program, tailoring their recruitment plans to attract highly qualified candidates for hard-to-fill positions.
The most common educational loans that qualify for repayment include:
- Federal Family Education Loans (such as subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans)
- Direct loans, such as the Direct PLUS Loan
People interested in federal jobs should contact individual agencies or explore their websites to learn more about loan repaymentprograms.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program forgives the remaining balance on eligible student loans for people who have worked in a public service job for at least 10 years.
To qualify, applicants must have already made 120 monthly payments and be employed full time at a qualifying public service organization such as:
- The federal government or a state or local government
- A public child or family service agency
- A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Other nonprofit organizations that contribute to public service, such as public safety, education, library services and others.
Federal Health, Retirement and Other Benefits
The government provides employees with a first-class benefits package.
Health Care Benefits
Health insurance
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, enables federal employees and retirees, and their families, to choose coverage from among dozens of plans—the widest selection of health insurance plans in the country.
No federal health plan requires a waiting period or a medical exam to enroll, nor are there restrictions based on age or physical condition. The program also provides guaranteed protection that prevents health plans from canceling coverage.
Federal agencies cover most of the health insurance coverage—usually up to 72%.
Flexible spending accounts
A flexible spending account (FSA) enables federal employees to put aside a portion of pre–tax salary to pay for out-of-pocket expenses.
The government’s Health Care Flexible Spending Account allows employees to set aside up to $2,750 annually for a health care FSA and $5,000 per household for a dependent care FSA. These funds can be used for eligible health care expenses not covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, such as over-the-counter medications or health plan premiums.
Retirement benefits
The government provides employees with a comprehensive retirement benefits package called the Federal Employees Retirement System, which includes three different contributions to employees’ retirement:
Basic Benefit Plan
Each pay period, employees pay a small amount to the Basic Benefit Plan. Agencies also contribute 1% of the employee’s annual salary. This plan provides long-term disability and survivor benefits for spouses and children. Employees need to have worked at least five years in government to receive retirement benefits from the Basic Benefit Plan.
Thrift Savings Plan
The Thrift Savings Plan, offers benefits similar to a traditional 401(k) plan. Agencies contribute 1% of an employee’s salary, regardless of whether the employee contributes. Agencies also match a certain amount of employees’ contributions each pay period, up to 5% of their salary.
Social Security
Social Security serves people who are retired, unemployed or disabled, offering benefits that include disability and protection for survivors. Federal employees pay Social Security taxes and earn credit for a Social Security account.
Other Benefits
Life Insurance
The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program is the largest group life insurance program in the world. It covers current and retired federal employees and their families.
Unless coverage is waived, almost all full- and part-time federal employees are automatically enrolled in a life insurance plan equal to their salaries. No physical exam is required.
Employee Assistance Programs
All federal agencies offer an Employee Assistance Program, a free service to help employees address issues that negatively affect their job performance and personal health. Staffed by professional counselors, these programs help employees overcome problems such as alcohol and drug abuse, work and family pressures, and job stress.
Child and dependent care
Many programs are available to federal employees for child or dependent care. Agency HR representatives are the most knowledgeable about what programs are available.