If you previously worked as a police officer or firefighter for an Oregon public employer not covered by PERS, you might be eligible to purchase service credit for that period. You can purchase the credit any time before your effective date of retirement
The first day of the month following the last day a member (1) worked, was on vacation, or was paid sick leave, or (2) the first of the month a member files his or her application for benefits, whichever is later.. You must pay for the credit with one lump-sum payment. You also must be working as a police officer or firefighter for a PERS-participating employer at the time you purchase the credit.
If you were previously employed by another state or political subdivision in another state as a public safety officer, you may purchase up to four years of creditable service Creditable service is one of the factors used to determine a member’s retirement eligibility and pension amount at retirement. Members earn service credit for every calendar month in which they are employed in a qualifying position for more than half the total days in the month and are paid by their PERS-participating employer. Working fewer than 600 hours in a month or taking a leave without pay lasting half the month or more disqualifies a month from earning service credit. at retirement for out-of-state public safety service provided you are ineligible to receive a pension from that state for the service. You must provide written verification from the other state or political subdivision in that state verifying the period of time you served as a public safety officer. If you decide to purchase the credit, you must do so by making a lump-sum payment for the credit within 90 days of your effective date of retirement.
Contact Customer Service if you are interested in this credit and believe you qualify.