As the leave year draws to a close, federal employees should pay close attention to one of the most important deadlines on the calendar: November 29, 2025. This date marks the “use-it-or-lose-it” scheduling deadline for annual leave. Any annual leave that exceeds the allowable 240-hour carryover limit and is not scheduled for use by that date will be forfeited.
Understanding the Deadline
Federal policy allows most employees to carry forward up to 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year. Any hours above this threshold are considered “excess” and must be scheduled for use by November 29, 2025, and used no later than January 10, 2026. If leave is not both scheduled and used within this timeframe, it could be lost.
Depending on years of federal service, employees accrue annual leave at different rates:
- Less than 3 years: 104 hours per year
- 3 to 15 years: 160 hours per year
- 15 or more years: 208 hours per year
In the later stages of a career, especially when accruing 208 hours annually and taking limited vacation, it can be easy to exceed the 240-hour cap. This makes early planning essential.
What Happens to Unused Leave?
If eligible leave is not scheduled by the deadline and is not used by the end of the leave year, it will not be reimbursed or restored, except under very narrow circumstances. That’s why the November 29 deadline is not just a scheduling formality; it can have direct financial consequences. Upon retirement or separation from federal service, any unused accrued annual leave is paid out in a lump sum, based on what the employee would have earned had they continued working during that period. This can represent a significant payout for long-tenured employees.
Agency Policies May Differ
While November 29 and January 10 reflect the standard federal scheduling and usage deadlines, some agencies may operate with slightly different timelines due to internal policies or payroll schedules. It is important to verify the exact deadlines with your agency’s HR office to avoid unintentional forfeiture.
Steps to Take Now
✔️ Check your current annual leave balance
✔️ Schedule excess hours before the November 29 deadline
✔️ Be sure those hours are taken by January 10, 2026
✔️ If approaching retirement, consider how annual leave fits into your exit strategy
✔️ Confirm deadlines with HR to ensure compliance
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take the time to review and schedule your annual leave before November 29; your future self (and paycheck) may thank you.
