Thank you for your service to our country.
If you take military leave while working for an ACERA
participating employer—typically when a reservist is called to
active duty—you may be eligible to purchase retirement service credit for
that time upon return from leave.
Your Rights Under USERRA
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
(USERRA) is a federal law that protects the rights of personnel
who leave their civilian jobs to perform military service. You
can find detailed information regarding these protections on the
U.S.
Department of Labor website. The U.S. Department of Labor
also publishes a
fact sheet with frequently asked questions.
Purchasing Service Credit
Upon your return to active employment, your employer is required
to inform you within 30 days of your right to purchase retirement service credit for the period
you were on military leave.
Because these types of purchases are governed by specific federal
guidelines, ACERA does not charge interest on military leave
service credit. You will only be responsible for the retirement
contributions you would have made if you had been working during
that time.
If you believe your employer failed to timely notify you of your
rights, please contact ACERA.
Purchase Deadlines
This type of purchase is governed by federal law and has a strict
time limit. You must complete the purchase within a period that
is three times the length of your military leave, but no more
than five years from the date you return to ACERA-covered
employment.
Examples:
- If you had 1 year of military leave, you
have 3 years to complete the purchase.
- If you had 2 years of military leave, the
three-times rule would allow 6 years, but the 5-year
maximum applies—so you only have 5 years to complete the
purchase.
For more information on the steps required to initiate a
purchase, please visit the Purchasing and
Redepositing Service Credit page.
