Plan your final days of service. Compare the financial impact of taking terminal leave versus selling back your unused leave days.
Use your accrued leave at the end of your service. You remain on active duty status, collecting full pay, BAH, and TRICARE benefits while free to start your civilian life.
Receive a lump-sum payment for unused leave days (up to 60 days career max). You'll separate on your ETS date without the extended active duty period.
See your exact terminal leave start date and final separation date
Compare total income from terminal leave vs sell-back by rank
Factor in your housing allowance to see the true value of terminal leave
Estimate the value of continued healthcare coverage during terminal leave
Model starting a civilian job while still collecting military pay
Pre-loaded base pay for common ranks from E-4 through O-6
In most cases, taking terminal leave is financially better than selling it back. When you take leave, you receive full base pay plus BAH and continue TRICARE coverage. Sell-back only pays base pay divided by 30 per day, with no allowances. If you can start a civilian job during terminal leave, you effectively earn double income. The calculator helps you see the exact dollar difference for your situation.
Create a free account to run personalized calculations and save your terminal leave plan alongside your full transition timeline.