Calculate how much unused PTO carries over to the next year and how much is forfeited. Compare balance against your employer’s carryover cap to plan usage.
Most employers cap the number of PTO hours or days that can roll over from one year to the next. Any balance exceeding the cap is forfeited under "use it or lose it" policies. Understanding your carryover limit is essential to avoid losing earned time off.
This calculator compares your unused PTO balance against the carryover cap to show exactly how many hours carry over and how many are at risk of forfeiture. It also calculates the dollar value of the potentially forfeited time.
Use this tool in Q4 to plan remaining PTO usage and ensure you don't leave earned benefits on the table. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation. By automating the calculation, you save time and reduce the risk of costly errors in your planning and decision-making process. This tool handles all the complex arithmetic so you can focus on interpreting results and making informed decisions based on accurate data.
Employees forfeit an estimated $65.5 billion in PTO annually. This is money and rest you've earned. This calculator alerts you to potential forfeiture so you can plan ahead. Having a precise figure at your fingertips empowers better planning and more confident decisions. Manual calculations are error-prone and time-consuming; this tool delivers verified results in seconds so you can focus on strategy.
Carryover = Min(Unused Balance, Carryover Cap) Forfeited = Max(Unused Balance − Carryover Cap, 0) Forfeited Value = Forfeited × Hourly Rate
Result: 40 hours forfeited ($1,400 value)
120 hours unused, cap is 80. Carryover: 80 hours. Forfeited: 120 − 80 = 40 hours. Value lost: 40 × $35 = $1,400.
Americans collectively forfeit over 768 million vacation days per year. At average wage rates, this represents tens of billions in earned benefits — time and money gone forever. Don't contribute to this statistic.
PTO carryover and forfeiture laws vary significantly. California treats PTO as earned wages that can never be forfeited. Illinois requires a grace period. Many states leave it entirely to employer policy. Know your state's rules.
Plan quarterly check-ins on your PTO balance. Book time off early in the year when calendars are open. Use long weekends for short recharges. Communicate with your manager about upcoming time off well in advance.
A carryover limit is the maximum number of PTO hours or days that can roll from one year (or accrual period) to the next. Balances exceeding the cap are typically forfeited.
In many states, yes. However, states like California, Montana, and Colorado have laws restricting or prohibiting PTO forfeiture. Always check your specific state's regulations.
Common caps range from 40–80 hours (1–2 weeks) to 1.5 times the annual accrual. Some generous employers allow unlimited carryover, though this creates liability on their books.
Forfeited PTO simply disappears from your balance. The employer saves the cash cost of those hours. There is no payout for forfeited time unless your state law or employer policy requires it.
Some employers offer exceptions for employees who couldn't take PTO due to business needs. It's worth asking, especially if heavy workload prevented time off usage.
Carryover and accrual caps are separate concepts. Carryover limits how much rolls to the new year. The accrual cap limits maximum balance at any time. Both can apply simultaneously.