VA offers a robust benefits package that is unmatched in the private sector. Read more about VA's employment benefits:

Generous paid time off
Variety of insurance coverage options
Federal retirement benefits
Mobility opportunities
Liability protection

Read our Employee Benefits at a Glance fact sheet

Paid Time Off

• VA employees earn 13 to 26 days of paid annual (vacation/personal) leave, depending on their profession. Annual leave begins to accrue immediately and can be used as it is earned.
• VA employees also earn 13 days of sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation.
• VA observes 10 paid Federal holidays.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act and the Family Friendly Leave Act allow employees to balance their work and family lives by taking reasonable amounts of leave for medical reasons, for the birth or adoption/foster care of a child, and for the care of a child, spouse, or parent who has a serious health problem.
• The Voluntary Leave Transfer Program allows Federal employees to donate annual leave to other Federal employees who are experiencing a medical emergency.
• Military leave is authorized up to 15 days a year for active reservists and National Guard members.

Insurance Coverage

• VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose. Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans. For all of our health insurance plans, premiums are partially paid by the Federal Government, and employees have the opportunity to change plans yearly.
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan.
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government.
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option.

Federal Retirement Plan
VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tier retirement plan composed of Social Security benefits, FERS basic benefits, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer as much as $15,500 of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. The Federal Government also provides a basic contribution and matching contribution, depending on the amount of the employee contribution. For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension.

In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel.

Mobility
Sometimes life calls for a change of venue. With VA facilities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, our medical professionals have the opportunity to make that change easily. Only one active, unrestricted state license is required to work in any VA facility. When our employees decide to relocate, they may seek employment at any location with a vacancy, and if hired, transfer with no loss of benefits, no re-licensing required.

Liability Protection
As Federal employees, VA health care professionals are protected by the Federal Government in instances of alleged malpractice or negligence resulting from the performance of their duties in or for the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The United States Government accepts responsibility and liability for its employees' negligent or wrongful acts or omissions during the exercise of their official duties. This applies when employees' actions are in accord with the policies of the institution in which they are practicing.