Most commonly, when a member inquires about buying back time, they are referring to a Service Credit Purchase.

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Dear Buyback to the Future,

“Buying back” time can refer to a couple of different things. Most commonly, when a member inquires about buying back time, they are referring to a Service Credit Purchase.

A Service Credit Purchase is specific to purchasing service credit from Workers’ Compensation and approved Medical Leaves, Prior Public Service, Excluded Service like Extra Help employment, Military Leave during OCERS membership, or Previous Public Service with an OCERScovered employer. In these situations, you’re not contributing to your OCERS fund or earning service credit.

With a Service Credit Purchase, it’s best to make your requests early. The longer you wait to make this purchase, the more annual interest that gets added to your overall cost. Members that wait to make their request right before retirement may have to delay their retirement date. Go to your myOCERS portal to make a Service Credit Purchase Request.