Here are the ways you can qualify for conversion of your sick leave credits. See the Sick Leave Credit Conversion Program (ET-4132) brochure or talk to your employer benefit specialist for more information.

There are different options depending on your age when you terminate state employment. We use minimum retirement age (MRA) to determine eligibility. See the When Can I Retire page for more information about minimum retirement age. If you don’t meet any of the ways to qualify for your situation, you could lose your sick leave credits. For example, if you are over MRA and have over 20 years of WRS service, but don’t have health insurance at termination, you will permanently lose your sick leave credits.

Ways to Qualify

Below are the ways you can qualify for your sick leave credits after termination.

Over MRA with an immediate annuity

  1. An immediate annuity starts within 30 days of your termination date
  2. You must have health insurance with your employer at the time you terminate*
  3. Your health insurance will continue automatically after retirement

Qualify for a WRS Disability Retirement

  1. You could be over or under MRA with this option
  2. You must have health insurance with your employer on the last day in pay status*

* Before retirement, you may have a special opportunity to enroll in the group health insurance program's Access Plan. You must enroll by the first of the month in which you retire. Keep in mind, you may find it cheaper to enroll during open enrollment.

Over MRA with at least 20 years of WRS creditable service

  1. You can delay taking an immediate annuity and still qualify to use your sick leave credits
  2. You must have health insurance through your employer at the time you terminate*
  3. To continue your health insurance after termination or escrow your credits, you will need to submit paperwork to ETF

Under MRA with at least 20 years of WRS creditable service

  1. You don’t need health insurance at termination
  2. Your credits will be preserved (saved) until you take a retirement annuity

Public Officials under MRA

  1. Qualified members include state constitutional officers, members or officers of the legislature, or the head of a state department or agency who is appointed by the governor with state confirmation
  2. You don’t need health insurance at the time of termination
  3. Your credits will be preserved (saved) until you take a retirement annuity

Permanent layoff (over or under MRA)

  1. Must have health insurance at the time of termination
  2. Can use sick leave credits to continue to pay for health insurance after the layoff
  3. See the Sick Leave Credit Conversion Program (ET-4132) brochure for more info about this option