Purchase of Prior Service :

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If you are an active member of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), you may be eligible to purchase qualifying prior service credit at five percent of your current salary or your average final compensation, whichever is higher. The best time to apply is when you first become employed in a VRS covered position or return from a qualifying period of leave. The earlier you apply to purchase prior service credit, the lower your cost will be. The longer you wait to purchase service, the higher your salary will be, which will also drive up the cost.

The following types of service periods are eligible for purchase. Consult the VRS Handbook for Members for a description of each type:

• Active Duty Military Service
• Public/Federal Service
• Non-covered Service with a Participating Employer
• Refunded Service
• Birth/Adoption Leave
• Educational Leave
• Un-ported Service
• No-cost Military Leave

The application process may take more than a month depending on the types of prior service you wish to purchase and the employer certifications that may be required. Contact the Human Resources Office or refer to the Application for Purchase of Prior Service Credit for complete instructions on the application process.

Additional information can be found at the VRS Web Site