Been Out on Leave? Make It Count Toward Retirement

If you missed work for military leave, unpaid sick leave, or workers’ compensation, you may be able to purchase service for the missed time.

The cost for leave-based purchases is based on the salary you would have earned and the contribution rate during your leave. You pay the employee share; your employer pays the employer share.

Leave-based purchases usually cost members less than formula-based purchases. The trick? Meeting the deadlines. Here’s what you need to know:

Military Leave (USERRA)

If you served under the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act and then returned to work with the same employer, you can purchase service for your leave. Even if you don’t purchase the service, the time counts toward vesting and retirement eligibility. If you do purchase it, it also counts toward your total service for calculating your benefit.

Deadline: Apply within five years of reemployment.

Unpaid Sick Leave and Workers’ Compensation

You can also purchase service for unpaid sick leave, including maternity or paternity leave, or workers’ compensation leave.

Deadline: Complete payment within two school years after your leave. For example, if your leave was in the 2024-2025 school year, the deadline is June 30, 2027.

Contact your employer to confirm eligibility and arrange payment. Don’t wait!