USPS Employees Will Receive 27 Paydays in 2026
The U.S. Postal Service has confirmed that employees will receive 27 paydays in 2026, instead of the usual 26. This occurs due to the way the biweekly pay schedule aligns with the calendar year.
Paycheck Schedule Overview
According to the 2026 payroll calendar:
- Every month will have two paydays,
- January, July, and December will each have three paydays.
Most paydays will fall on Fridays, with two exceptions:
- Thursday, June 18 – the 13th payday
- Thursday, December 31 – the 27th payday
In both cases, payday moves to Thursday because the following Friday is a federal holiday.
USPS-Observed Federal Holidays in 2026
The Postal Service will observe the following federal holidays in 2026:
- New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 19
- Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day) – Monday, February 16
- Memorial Day – Monday, May 25
- Juneteenth National Independence Day – Friday, June 19
- Independence Day – Saturday, July 4
- Labor Day – Monday, September 7
- Columbus Day – Monday, October 12
- Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26
- Christmas Day – Friday, December 25
Download and Print the Pay Calendar
Employees can right-click the calendar image that accompanies this article to save it to their computer and print it for easy reference.
Why 27 Paydays Matter
A 27-payday year can impact budgeting, benefits deductions, and financial planning. Employees are encouraged to review the schedule early and plan accordingly.
