Unused sick leave
Unused sick leave can be converted to service credit at service retirement: to reach the minimum service for retirement or added to total service. It cannot be used to reach 10-year vesting unless the age requirement is met (60 Tier 1, 62 Tier 2). If any sick leave is paid out, none can be used. Maximum one day of sick leave per month of TRS of Alabama service credit. State employees can accrue at most 150 days. Handbook p. 20, Sick Leave Conversion; pp. 9, 17; Ala. Code § 16-25-11.1
The 2019 Tier 2 handbook said Tier 2 members would not receive service credit for sick leave. Section 16-25-11.1 was amended by Act 2021-537 and the 2026 handbook applies conversion to both tiers. Tier 2 Handbook (2019) p. 16; Ala. Code § 16-25-11.1 (history: Act 2021-537); Handbook pp. 17, 20
Sick days to months of service
| Sick days | Months | Sick days | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-7 | 0 | 218-232 | 15 |
| 8-22 | 1 | 233-247 | 16 |
| 23-37 | 2 | 248-262 | 17 |
| 38-52 | 3 | 263-277 | 18 |
| 53-67 | 4 | 278-292 | 19 |
| 68-82 | 5 | 293-307 | 20 |
| 83-97 | 6 | 308-322 | 21 |
| 98-112 | 7 | 323-337 | 22 |
| 113-127 | 8 | 338-352 | 23 |
| 128-142 | 9 | 353-367 | 24 |
| 143-157 | 10 | 368-382 | 25 |
| 158-172 | 11 | 383-397 | 26 |
| 173-187 | 12 | 398-412 | 27 |
| 188-202 | 13 | 413-427 | 28 |
| 203-217 | 14 | 428-442 | 29 |
Our engine reads this chart. For example: 7 days = 0 months; 8 days = 1 months; 22 days = 1 months; 23 days = 2 months; 187 days = 12 months; 300 days = 20 months; 442 days = 29 months.
The sick-leave chart in the handbook stops at 442 days (29 months). We don't have the chart for more days.
Above 442 days we continue the chart's pattern of 15 days per month and say so.
Handbook p. 20; Ala. Code § 16-25-11.1Buying service
Active members may buy credit for military service (up to 4 years: in the first year of membership at 4% of average teacher salary plus 8% interest, or after 10 years at full actuarial cost); active-duty missed contributions; non-military federal service (up to 4 years, 10 years' contributing service, full actuarial cost); out-of-state public service (up to 10 years, full actuarial cost); restoration of withdrawn RSA service after 2 years (amount withdrawn plus 8% compounded interest); maternity leave without pay (up to 1 year per leave, full actuarial cost); TRS of Alabama support personnel, teacher aide, Job Corps, Teacher Corps (up to 10 years); Department of Defense dependent schools. Rollovers from 403(b), 457 (including RSA-1), IRAs and 401 plans may pay for purchases. Handbook pp. 12-14, Purchasing Additional Service Credit; RSA 2026 New Acts email (June 10, 2026), item 4 (Act 2026-525, effective Oct. 1, 2026)
Costs depend on your records. Ask TRS of Alabama for a cost statement before you buy.
From the sources
- Unused sick leave converts to service credit at service retirement using TRS of Alabama's chart (for example, 173-187 days = 12 months). It can help you reach the service needed to retire, but not the 10 years needed to be vested unless you have reached 60 (Tier 1) or 62 (Tier 2). If any sick leave was paid out, none counts.Handbook p. 20, Sick Leave Conversion; p. 9
- You can convert at most one day of sick leave for each month of TRS of Alabama service. Tier 2 members can now convert sick leave too; the 2019 Tier 2 handbook said they could not.Handbook pp. 17, 20; Tier 2 Handbook (2019) p. 16; Ala. Code § 16-25-11.1 (Act 2021-537)
- Active members can buy credit for military service, out-of-state public service (up to 10 years), federal civilian service (up to 4 years), past withdrawn RSA service, maternity leave and some other service. Most purchases need 10 years of contributing service and cost the full actuarial cost.Handbook pp. 12-14
Questions
How many sick days make a month?
About 15. The handbook chart starts at 8 days for 1 month and adds a month for each 15 days, up to 442 days for 29 months.
Can sick leave make me vested?
No, unless you've already reached the age (60 for Tier 1, 62 for Tier 2).
What if part of my sick leave was paid out?
Then none of it can be converted.
Can I use my 403(b) to buy service?
Yes. Rollovers from 403(b), 457 (including RSA-1), IRAs and 401 plans can pay for purchases.
Source: TRS Member Handbook, July 2026 edition (back cover "7-2026"), pp. 9, 12-14, 17, 20. Also: RSA 2026 New Acts email; Code of Alabama Title 16, Ch. 25 and 25A; Tier 2 Member Handbook. Last reviewed .