DATE: Friday, December 5, 2025
As the end of the 2025 leave year approaches, refer to OPM’s Fact Sheet for guidance and scenarios pertaining to the restoration of annual leave. To reduce manual processing, the Payroll Operations Division (POD) will be utilizing their automated method for restoring annual leave for the 2025 leave year.
AGENCY ACTION REQUIRED: Please review and follow the IBC's Guidance on Executing the Datamart Query and Instructions for Submitting Restored Annual Leave Data.
Restoring Annual Leave for Employees Who Have Separated, Transferred, or Retired
If annual leave needs to be restored for an employee that separated, transferred, or retired prior to processing the agency's restored leave file, a manual POD-34 form must be submitted to Karen Galperin (Karen_A_Galperin@ibc.doi.gov) and the Systems Analysis and Client Support Branch (POD_SACS_SAS@ibc.doi.gov).
IMPORTANT: If a manual POD-34 was submitted, please DO NOT include this employee on the agency's restored leave file. If duplicate restored annual leave requests are processed and not detected before the extra/erroneous leave balance is used, an overpayment will occur.
Automated Submissions and Timelines
Agencies must run a Datamart query to identify the 2025 forfeited leave data. This process is outlined here: Guidance on Executing the Datamart Query and Instructions for Submitting Restored Annual Leave Data.
REMINDERS:
- Please consolidate submissions at the appropriate level for your agency; however, submissions should not be any lower than Sub-Bureau level.
- Prior to submitting the restored leave data to the Payroll Operations Division, agencies must complete all appropriate certifications and approvals in accordance with applicable restoration guidance and regulations.
- If any employees listed in the query results are serviced by a Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) outside of your Bureau, the agency Point of Contact (POC) must coordinate with the applicable SPO to address any restored annual leave.
- Agencies must include a statement with their restored leave data authorizing POD to reinstate the leave.
- The submission period is February 13, 2026 – April 14, 2026.
- Spreadsheet submissions that are incorrectly formatted will require agency corrections and may take up to three additional pay periods to process.
- Late submissions (after April 14, 2026) are handled after all on-time files are processed and they may take up to three additional pay periods to process.
To prepare for the restored leave process, please review the questions and answers located here: Restored Annual Leave Frequently Asked Questions.
If employees have questions regarding their restored annual leave, please advise them to contact their Servicing Personnel Office (SPO). Employees should NOT contact the Customer Support Center (CSC) or the IBC's Payroll Operations Division (POD). All inquiries to the CSC or POD must come from the FPPS User Group Representative or SPO.
Resources:
- Fact Sheet: Restoration of Annual Leave
- Guidance on Executing the Datamart Query and Instructions for Submitting Restored Annual Leave Data
- Restored Annual Leave Frequently Asked Questions
- POD-34, Request for Restoration of Forfeited Annual Leave
Questions:
- FPPS User Group Representatives or Servicing Personnel Offices may contact Karen Galperin (Karen_A_Galperin@ibc.doi.gov), the Systems Analysis and Client Support Branch (POD_SACS_SAS@ibc.doi.gov), or the Customer Support Center.