SF Form 1150: Record of Leave Data Guide for Federal Employees

SF Form 1150: Record of Leave Data Guide for Federal Employees – Federal employees rely on accurate leave records to manage annual leave, sick leave, and other paid time off. When transferring between agencies or separating from federal service, Standard Form 1150 (SF 1150), officially titled Record of Leave Data, serves as the key document for transferring or certifying leave balances.

This guide explains what SF Form 1150 is, when you need it, how it works, and what to do if you need a copy. It is designed for U.S. federal civilian employees, including those in the Department of Defense (DoD), Air Force, and other agencies.

What Is SF Form 1150?

SF 1150 is a Standard Form issued by the General Services Administration (GSA) and governed by older Federal Personnel Manual (FPM) supplements. Its current revision date is December 1977.

The form provides a detailed summary of an employee’s leave account, including:

  • Annual leave balances (carryover, accrued, used, restored, and any amounts above/below the ceiling under 5 U.S.C. 6304)
  • Sick leave balances
  • Other categories such as home leave, absence without pay (AWOP), military leave, shore leave (if applicable), and lump-sum leave payments
  • Total service for leave purposes
  • Date and nature of separation or transfer
  • Certifying official’s signature from the losing agency

It acts as the official record for transferring leave balances when an employee moves to a new federal agency or separates from government service.

Note: The form is not something most employees fill out themselves. The losing agency’s personnel or payroll office (often using systems like the National Finance Center’s Leave Data Transfer System – LDTS) generates it automatically or upon request.

When Is SF Form 1150 Required?

You will typically encounter SF 1150 in these situations:

  1. Transfer to Another Federal Agency — The losing agency prepares the SF 1150 to transfer your exact leave balances (annual and sick leave) to the gaining agency. This ensures continuity of your leave account.
  2. Separation from Federal Service — Upon retirement, resignation, or other separation (except in cases like death), the form certifies your final leave balances. It supports lump-sum annual leave payments and helps resolve any future disputes.
  3. Leave Balance Verification — Employees sometimes request a copy for personal records, especially when disputing balances or preparing for retirement.

OPM strongly recommends that employees keep a copy of their final Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) and request their SF 1150 upon transfer or separation. These documents help substantiate balances if official records are later unavailable.

Key Sections of SF Form 1150

Although the form’s layout is fixed (revision 12-77), it generally includes:

  • Employee Information — Name (Last, First, Middle), Social Security Number, and agency-use fields.
  • Separation/Transfer Details — Date and nature of action.
  • Annual Leave Ceiling Information — Whether subject to the 45-day (or 360-hour) ceiling under 5 U.S.C. 6304, with the relevant date and balance.
  • Total Service for Leave — Creditable service (more or less than 15 years affects accrual rates).
  • Summary of Annual and Sick Leave — Carryover balances, hours earned/used during the current leave year, restored leave, leave above/below ceiling, etc.
  • Other Leave Categories — Home leave, AWOP, military leave, and related details.
  • Remarks — Additional notes, including any special situations.
  • Certification — Signature and title of the authorizing official, plus the date.

The form captures a snapshot, often as of the end of a pay period or the effective date of the personnel action.

How to Obtain Your SF Form 1150?

  • Current Employees Transferring — Contact your current (losing) agency’s Human Resources or Payroll office. They generate the form and forward it to the gaining agency.
  • Separated or Retired Employees — Reach out to your former agency’s HR/Payroll. For certain payroll functions (e.g., National Finance Center users), agencies request reprints via the LDTS. Corrections to balances after issuance require written authorization from the losing agency.
  • DFAS-Related Issues — Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) users (common in DoD) often require a copy of the SF 1150 to process leave transfers or final payments.
  • eOPF Access — Some leave-related documents appear in your electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), but the SF 1150 is frequently handled separately as a payroll document.

Important: The form contains sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) and is restricted in use.

  • SF 50 (Notification of Personnel Action) — Often processed alongside the SF 1150 during transfers or separations.
  • Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) — Your regular pay statement showing current leave balances.
  • SF 1150-A — A variant used for the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (donated leave).

Employees should also maintain personal records of leave usage, as discrepancies can occasionally occur during agency transitions.

Tips for Federal Employees

  • Request Early — When planning a transfer or retirement, ask for your SF 1150 well in advance to avoid delays.
  • Review for Accuracy — Check the balances against your recent LES. Report errors promptly to your losing agency.
  • Keep Copies — Store your SF 1150, final LES, and relevant SF 50s securely. They serve as important supporting documentation for retirement calculations, unemployment claims, or audits.
  • Understand Leave Accrual — Annual leave accrual rates depend on years of service (4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period). The SF 1150 reflects your total creditable service.

For the most authoritative guidance on federal leave policies, refer to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Leave Administration fact sheets and your agency’s specific HR instructions.

Download Official SF 1150 Resources

Note on Provided Links: The Air Force e-Publishing links (physical.pdf and physical.epub) appear to point to a different publication and are not the standard SF 1150. Always use the GSA or agency-generated version for official purposes.

Need Help?

  • Contact your agency’s Human Resources or Payroll office.
  • National Finance Center (NFC) users: Use agency channels for LDTS requests.
  • General OPM leave questions: Visit OPM.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration.

Accurate leave records protect your earned time off and ensure smooth transitions. Whether you are transferring agencies, retiring, or simply verifying your balances, understanding SF Form 1150 is an important part of federal employment.

This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available government sources as of 2026. Policies and procedures can change—always consult your agency HR or official OPM guidance for your specific situation.