Purchase of Prior Service

Purchasing Prior Service

A member may be eligible to purchase service from previous public employment, active duty military service, an eligible period of leave or VRS refunded service as service credit in his or her plan. Prior service credit counts toward the five years needed to become vested and eligibility for retirement and the health insurance credit.

Member Purchases Via myVRS

Members may initiate the purchase of prior service (PPS) online through their myVRS accounts. This self-service option allows members to:

View prior service in their account available for purchase.

Select the type and amount of service to purchase.

Choose the order in which to purchase service.

Determine the cost to purchase.

See the impact of purchasing service on their future retirement benefit.

Evaluate the time it will take to recover the purchase cost in retirement.

Members will make lump-sum payments directly to VRS or coordinate purchase payment agreements with the employer. The employer also can assist the member with the purchase process using myVRS and myVRS Navigator.