24 CAR § 10-502 – Free service credit — Military service

(a)
1. (1) A person may establish free military service credit with the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System at any time after becoming a member.
2. (2) Free military service credit established with the system is effective after the member completes five (5) years of actual service in the system, excluding military service credit.
(b) A member who by draft or voluntary enlistment entered the United States Armed Forces during a period that a federal military draft was in effect and obtained a refund of contributions from the system may establish free military service credit with the system if the member:
1. (1) Is honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces; and
2. (2) Before retirement, repays the system the actuarial equivalent of the member’s refunded service.
(c) A member who by draft or voluntary enlistment entered the United States Armed Forces during any period that a federal military draft was in effect and became an active member after an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces is eligible to establish free military service credit with the system, regardless of whether or not the member has five (5) or more years of credited service in the system at the time of the member’s reemployment.
(d) A member who is first employed after serving in the United States Armed Forces during a period of time in which the military draft was in effect is eligible to establish free military service credit with the system if the member:
1. (1) Completes five (5) or more years of actual service in the system; and
2. (2) Receives an honorable discharge.
(e) The system shall provide a member with free military service credit after the member:
1. (1) Applies to establish free military service credit with the system by submitting a completed application form approved by the system; and
2. (2) Submits official military documentation listing the entry and discharge dates of the member’s first enlistment or induction into the United States Armed Forces.
(f)
1. (1) Free military service credited to a member before July 1, 1986, shall be considered contributory service.
2. (2) Free military service shall be credited to a member’s account on a prorated basis if the member has both contributory and noncontributory service.
(g) Military service credited to a member shall not exceed five (5) years unless the member is entitled to service credit for service in the uniformed services of the United States.
(h) Military service shall be credited in order of the years that are chronologically closest to the member’s service with a covered employer.
(i) A member shall not receive military service credit for military service years resulting from the member’s reenlistment or voluntary extension of his or her initial enlistment.