Retiring at the End of a Pay Period Retiring at the end of a pay period allows you to earn a full paycheck for that period while also maximizing leave accrual. Federal employees earn leave for completing an entire pay period, so retiring mid-cycle could mean losing out on extra accrued leave. For 2025, optimal dates include May 31 and October 31, while in 2026, June 30 and September ... https://www.federalpensionadvisors.com/post/fers-best-dates-to-retire-2025