1. (1) How is my service credit calculated? RCW 41.32.010 (26)(b) provides three methods that may be used to calculate service credit for Plan 2 and 3 members:

   1. (a) Twelve-month method: If you meet the following conditions, you will receive one service credit month for each month of a twelve-month period (September through August):

      1. (i) You were employed at least nine calendar months starting in September; and

      2. (ii) You earned earnable compensation for at least eight hundred ten hours during September through August.

         The twelve service credit months earned under this subsection are credited to you on August 31.

   2. (b) Partial service credit method: If you meet the following conditions, you will receive one-half of a service credit month for each month of a twelve-month period (September through August):

      1. (i) You were employed at least nine calendar months starting in September; and

      2. (ii) You earned earnable compensation for at least six hundred thirty hours, but less than eight hundred ten hours during September through August.

         The six service credit months earned under this subsection are credited to you on August 31.

   3. (c) Month-by-month method: You will receive service credit on a month-by-month basis as follows:

      1. (i) One service credit month for each calendar month in which you earn earnable compensation for ninety or more hours;
      2. (ii) One-half service credit month for each calendar month in which you earn earnable compensation for at least seventy hours but less than ninety hours; and
      3. (iii) A quarter of a service credit month for each calendar month in which you earn earnable compensation for some but less than seventy hours.

2. (2) (a) Twelve-month method. If you qualify, the department will calculate your service credit using the twelve-month method.

   Example.

   Sept.	60
   Oct.	60
   Nov.	60
   Dec.	60
   Jan.	60
   Feb.	60
   March	160
   April	160
   May	160
   June
   July
   Aug.
   Total	840

   Mary is a Plan 3 member who worked nine months, for a total of 840 hours, as shown in the table. Using the twelve-month method, Mary receives one service credit month for each of twelve calendar months, for a total of twelve service credit months. The department will credit Mary with twelve service credit months on August 31. If Mary separates service at the end of May, she will receive nine service credit months. If she separates service at the end of June, she will receive ten service credit months.

3. (b) Partial service credit method. If you do not qualify for the twelve-month method, and you meet the requirements in subsection (1)(b) of this section, the department will calculate your service credit using the partial service credit method.
4. (c) Month-by-month. The month-by-month method will be used if you leave service before the end of the school year or otherwise do not meet the requirements for the twelve-month method or the partial service credit method.
5. (3) If you are employed by two or more employers, you will receive no more than one service credit month for any calendar month.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.50.050(5), 41.32.010 (26)(b). WSR 06-18-006, § 415-112-332, filed 8/24/06, effective 9/24/06.]