Service Credit Purchase Options
CalPERS offers a variety of service credit purchase options. However, there are some limitations on who is eligible. Be sure to review this information carefully to see if you might qualify to purchase additional service.
Remember, in most cases you will be required to pay for this additional service. The costs are determined using formulas that are established by law and may differ based on the type of service you will be purchasing. Only you can decide if the increase to your future benefits is worth the cost.
Additional Retirement Service Credit
This option allows you to purchase up to five years of service credit that is not based on employment.Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) & Fellowship
You may be eligible to purchase service credit if you worked for a federal or State employer under the CETA, or under the Assembly, Senate, Executive, or Judicial Administration Fellowship program before becoming a CalPERS member.Alternate Retirement Program (ARP) Service
If you do not elect to transfer your ARP funds to CalPERS, you can purchase your ARP service credit based on the amount of time you worked as an ARP participant at any time prior to retirement; however, you must pay both the member and employer contributions based on a present value calculation.Redeposit of Withdrawn Contributions
This option is available if you received a refund of your CalPERS contributions and interest and then returned to CalPERS-covered employment, or if you had a portion of your account removed due to a community property settlement and your ex-spouse or former domestic partner received a refund of their account.Military Service
You may be eligible to purchase additional service credit if you served in active military duty prior to your CalPERS membership or took a leave of absence to serve on active duty.Peace Corps, AmeriCorps*VISTA & AmeriCorps
You may be eligible to purchase additional service credit if you previously served in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps*VISTA , or AmeriCorps.Service Prior to Membership
You may be eligible to purchase service credit if you worked for a CalPERS-covered employer before you became a CalPERS member.Leave of Absence
You may be eligible to purchase service credit if you took a leave of absence for maternity or paternity, job-related temporary disability, to further your education, to work for a government agency, college, university, or nonprofit organization, or took a sabbatical.Layoff, Prior Service & Optional Member Service
Review the available service options for layoff, prior service, or optional member service.Service Credit Purchase Payment Methods
CalPERS offers a variety of payment methods that you can choose from to pay for your service credit purchase.Dated: 09-20-2012
