Retirement System

Retirement Board

Effective Date: 05/12/1993 to 09/28/2017

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 072.0003.7.05121993

CHAPTER 7

MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT

Section 1. Purchase of Qualified Military Service. A member may elect to purchase qualified military service credit under the Veterans' Reemployment Rights Act [Pub. L. 93-508; 88 Stat. 1594; 38 U.S.C. 2021 et seq.] (VRRA) by submitting a valid application and paying the required member contributions and any applicable interest. It is the responsibility of the applicant to supply any documentation required by the board.

Section 2. Definitions. "Qualified military service credit" means military service of a member who is inducted into the armed forces of the United States for training and service and who leaves employment (other than a temporary position) with a participating employer in the system to perform such service or who performs such service because of any obligation as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

Section 3. Eligibility. A member is eligible to receive qualified military service credit upon satisfying the requirements of the VRRA. Specifically, and without limitation, the member must:

1. (a) leave employment with a participating employer with the intent to enter into eligible military service;
2. (b) must serve no longer than the maximum period specified under 38 U.S.C. 2024;
3. (c) must be discharged or released from service under honorable conditions;
4. (d) must apply for reemployment with the former or another participating employer in the System within ninety (90) days of discharge or release from the military service or from eligible hospitalization under the VRRA incident to such military service.
5. (e) the member must pay in full the member's contributions plus interest as established by the Board for each year or portion thereof of military service to be credited.

Section 4. Member Contribution Requirements. A member may elect to pay the required member contributions plus interest as established by the Board for qualified military service credit at any time prior to retirement. A member may pay the required member contributions and interest after retirement upon a determination by the Board that the failure to make such payments was not unreasonable and does not result in undue cost or expense to the System, or is required under the VRRA.

Section 5. Employer Contribution Requirements. The former participating employer must pay the required employer contributions plus interest as established by the Board for each year or portion thereof of military service to be credited. Qualified military service credit will be granted notwithstanding the failure of the former participating employer to pay the required employer contributions plus interest for the military service credit.