An apprenticeship, internship, or entry-level position with a PERS-covered employer that a person worked before the employer hired that person into a technical or professional position. if you previously worked less than six months in a full-time seasonal position for a PERS-covered employer An employer who participates in the PERS Chapter 238 Program and whose eligible employees are entitled to Tier One or Tier Two benefits are retirement. before becoming a member and you have 10 or more 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. in the system at the time of the purchase. You can only purchase this credit during the 90-day period 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..