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When are the annual federal holidays in 2026 for employees of the US Federal Government? Here is the pay period and holiday calendar, including the 26 paydays in 2026.
2026 Federal Holidays and Pay Period Calendar
The 2026 Federal Holidays and Pay Period Calendar provides the pay schedules and holiday observances active federal government workers under the GS pay system. This calendar not only outlines the specific dates for federal holidays but also details the pay periods so federal employees will know when they will receive their salaries.
View the Estimated 2026 GS Pay Scale Chart
What Are the Federal Holidays in 2026?
The United States will officially observe several federal holidays, each with its own significance and impact on federal operations. Key holidays include New Year’s Day on January 1, Juneteenth on June 19, Independence Day on July 4, Veterans Day on November 11, and Christmas Day on December 25. Additionally, holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving are days where federal employees can expect the day off, or to receive holiday pay if working. These holidays are established by federal legislation and are observed by all US government institutions, ensuring that employees across the nation receive the same benefits regardless of their location.
Thinking about retirement? Attend a Free FERS Retirement Webinar.
2026 and 2026 Holidays for US Federal Government Employees
Federal agencies can expect the following days during the next 2 years to be considered official holidays for their employees:
| 2026 |
2027 |
|
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day |
Thurs. January 1 |
Fri.. January 1 |
| Martin Luther King's Day |
Mon. January 19 |
Mon. January 18 |
| President's Day |
Mon. February 16 |
Mon. February 15 |
| Memorial Day |
Mon. May 25 |
Mon. May 31 |
| Juneteenth |
Fri. June 19 |
Fri. June 18 (observed) |
| Independence Day |
Fri. July 3 (observed) |
Fri. July 2 (observed) |
| Labor Day |
Mon. September 7 |
Mon. September 6 |
| Indigenous Peoples Day |
Mon. October 12 |
Mon. October 11 |
| Veteran's Day |
Wed. November 11 |
Thurs. November 11 |
| Thanksgiving |
Thurs. November 26 |
Thurs. November 25 |
| Christmas |
Fri. December 25 |
Fri. December 24 (observed) |
Knowledge is Confidence!
2026 Pay Period Schedule for Federal Employees
Employees for US Federal Government agencies under the GS (general schedule) pay scale get paid on a biweekly basis, meaning there are 26 pay periods in a typical calendar year for federal workers. In terms of leave, the last pay period of 2024 ends on Saturday January 11, 2026. The first paychecks of 2026 will be sent via EFT (electronic fund transfer) on Friday January 3, 2026, for the pay period that is scheduled to end on December 28, 2024. For the few federal employees who still receive a paper check, those will be mailed out Wednesday, January 8, 2026, for that same pay period. Check out the chart below for the EFT paydays for federal employees.
The 2026 Federal Holiday and Pay Calendar for Financial Planning
Best Date to Retire for Federal Employees in 2026
Optimal Retirement Dates for Federal Workers
Choosing the optimal retirement date can be a significant decision for federal employees, especially those who have been in their role for longer periods of service. In 2026, employees should consider factors such as the end of a leave year, the timing of pay periods, and the accrual of annual leave when selecting a retirement date. Retiring at the end of a pay period or leave year can maximize the payout of unused leave, providing a financial cushion as employees transition into retirement. Generally, December 31st is considered the best date of any year to retire, resulting in an annual surge of new retirement claim submissions for OPM’s backlog every January.
Check out this article for more information on the Best Dates for Feds to Retire.
2026 Federal Pay Periods and Pay Days (EFT)
| Pay Period Ends |
Pay Day (EFT) |
|---|---|
| 12/27/25 |
01/02/26 |
| 01/10/26 |
01/16/26 |
| 01/24/26 |
01/30/26 |
| 02/07/25 |
02/13/25 |
| 02/21/26 |
02/27/26 |
| 03/07/26 |
03/13/26 |
| 03/21/26 |
03/27/26 |
| 04/04/26 |
04/10/26 |
| 04/18/26 |
04/24/26 |
| 05/02/26 |
05/08/26 |
| 05/16/26 |
05/22/26 |
| 05/30/26 |
06/05/26 |
| 06/13/26 |
06/18/26* |
| 06/27/26 |
07/02/26* |
| 07/11/26 |
07/17/26 |
| 07/25/26 |
7/31/26 |
| 08/08/26 |
08/14/26 |
| 08/22/26 |
08/28/26 |
| 09/05/26 |
09/11/26 |
| 09/19/26 |
09/25/26 |
| 10/03/26 |
10/09/26 |
| 10/17/26 |
10/23/26 |
| 10/31/26 |
11/06/26 |
| 11/14/26 |
11/20/26 |
| 11/28/26 |
12/04/26 |
| 12/12/26 |
12/18/26 |
| 12/26/26 |
12/31/26* |
*June 18th payday is a Thursday due to Juneteenth holiday falling on a Friday.
*July 2nd payday is a Thursday due to Independence Day being observed on Friday, July 3.
*The last payday of 2026 will be a Thursday due to New Year’s Day being Friday.
The table above includes the last pay period of the 2024 calendar year and the first pay period of the 2026 calendar year. All of the above information was published by the General Services Administration. View the PDF here.
Key Considerations for End-of-Year Planning
End-of-year planning is a key aspect of financial and professional management for federal employees. As the year draws to a close, employees should review their leave balances, TSP and FERS contributions, and tax withholdings to ensure they are on track to meet their financial goals. Additionally, employees should consider the timing of any planned retirements or career transitions, aligning these decisions with the federal calendar to maximize benefits and minimize disruptions. By taking a proactive approach to end-of-year planning, employees can ensure a smooth transition into the new year. Other items to keep in mind when examining one’s financial plan at the end of a given year include annual leave and sick accumulation, the upcoming annual pay raises and COLAs, and also any increase in health care costs that may impact their budget.
