FOLEY – City of Foley employees preparing for retirement will now be able to use accrued sick leave to enhance their retirement benefits under a new plan approved by the Foley City Council.
The policy allows participants in the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) to count unused sick leave as creditable service time. When an employee retires, up to six months of accrued sick leave—the maximum amount that can be earned—can be added to their total years of service. This additional time may increase monthly retirement payments and help some employees qualify for full retirement.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the policy offers both a benefit to employees and an incentive for responsible use of sick leave.
“It’s a benefit,” Hellmich said. “It also encourages people not to abuse sick leave.”
He added that the plan supports Foley’s efforts to attract and retain skilled employees in key positions such as police and fire.
“It would make us more competitive,” he said. “This helps us recruit good quality people. It’s a good, fair balance. We’ve been discussing this for several years, and now we have a plan that works.”