The complete 2027 federal holiday schedule and pay period calendar for GS employees, keep track of the 26 paydays, all 11 federal holidays, and the best dates to retire in 2027.
Quick Summary
Federal employees under the GS pay system will receive 26 paychecks in 2027, with the first EFT payday on January 15.
There are 11 federal holidays in 2027. Two fall on weekends and are observed on adjacent weekdays: Juneteenth (observed Friday, June 18) and Christmas (observed Friday, December 24). Independence Day falls on a Sunday and is observed Monday, July 5.
December 31, 2027, is a Friday, making it one of the best retirement dates of the year for federal employees who want to maximize their leave payout and start their annuity on January 1, 2028. Many feds retire at the end of the year to maximize their lump-sum payout for unused annual leave.
What Are the Federal Holidays in 2027?
The federal government observes 11 public holidays each year. Here are the days that feds will have off in 2027 and 2028:
| Holiday | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Friday, January 1 | Friday, December 31 (observed) |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 18 | Monday, January 17 |
| Presidents' Day | Monday, February 15 | Monday, February 21 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 31 | Monday, May 29 |
| Juneteenth | Friday, June 18 (observed) | Monday, June 19 |
| Independence Day | Monday, July 5 (observed) | Tuesday, July 4 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 6 | Monday, September 4 |
| Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day | Monday, October 11 | Monday October 9 |
| Veterans Day | Thursday, November 11 | Friday, November 10 (observed) |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 25 | Thursday, November 23 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 24 (observed) | Monday, December 25 |
2027 Pay Period Schedule for Federal Employees
GS employees are paid biweekly, with pay periods running Saturday through the second following Saturday (14 days). Direct deposit payments, also called EFT (electronic funds transfer) paydays, are typically processed on the Friday following the close of a pay period. Paper checks, for the small number of employees who still receive them, are mailed a few days earlier.
| Pay Period Ends | EFT Payday |
|---|---|
| 01/09/27 | 01/15/27 |
| 01/23/27 | 01/29/27 |
| 02/06/27 | 02/12/27 |
| 02/20/27 | 02/26/27 |
| 03/06/27 | 03/12/27 |
| 03/20/27 | 03/26/27 |
| 04/03/27 | 04/09/27 |
| 04/17/27 | 04/23/27 |
| 05/01/27 | 05/07/27 |
| 05/15/27 | 05/21/27 |
| 05/29/27 | 06/04/27 |
| 06/12/27 | 06/17/27 * |
| 06/26/27 | 07/02/27 |
| 07/10/27 | 07/16/27 |
| 07/24/27 | 07/30/27 |
| 08/07/27 | 08/13/27 |
| 08/21/27 | 08/27/27 |
| 09/04/27 | 09/10/27 |
| 09/18/27 | 09/24/27 |
| 10/02/27 | 10/08/27 |
| 10/16/27 | 10/22/27 |
| 10/30/27 | 11/05/27 |
| 11/13/27 | 11/19/27 |
| 11/27/27 | 12/03/27 |
| 12/11/27 | 12/17/27 |
| 12/25/27 | 12/30/27 * |
* June 17 payday is a Thursday because Juneteenth is observed Friday, June 18. * December 30 payday is a Thursday because Christmas is observed Friday, December 24.
Best Dates to Retire for Federal Employees in 2027
Choosing the right retirement date is one of the most practical decisions a federal employee can make. The timing affects when your annuity begins, how much unused annual leave you receive as a lump-sum payout, and whether you lose any leave to the use-or-lose limit at the end of the leave year.
December 31, 2027 stands out as one of the best retirement dates of the year. It falls on a Friday, which is the last day of the pay period, the last day of the calendar year, and positions your annuity to begin on January 1, 2028. OPM typically experiences its highest volume of new retirement claims every January, which is a normal consequence of December 31 being the optimal date for so many employees. Submitting your application early gives you a better shot at a smooth transition.
For employees who prefer to avoid the December surge, the end of any pay period is a reasonable alternative. Retiring on a pay period end date keeps your separation clean and ensures your final paycheck is processed without complications. Check the pay period table above to identify the dates that work best with your leave balance and personal timeline
Next Steps
If you have questions about how your pay calendar, leave balance, or retirement timing connect to your broader financial picture, United Benefits is here to help. Fill out the form below to get started on your federal retirement journey: