Service Credit

The chart below indicates the three types of service that can comprise your total years of creditable service upon retirement. Purchasing service can assist you in attaining vested status, allowing you to retire sooner or increasing your final retirement benefit. The types of service that may be purchased are explained in the Detailed Information to the right.

All service purchase transactions must be completed prior to retirement. It is recommended that you purchase service sooner, rather than later, because costs increase as you approach retirement, and a beneficiary cannot purchase service if you die while you are an active member.

Unused sick leave must be certified by your employer(s), and specific rules apply, which are explained in the Detailed Information to the right.