Service credit may be purchased for certain types of non-County government service performed prior to the date you became eligible for LACERA membership. Descriptions, eligibility requirements, contract terms, and calculation methods of the different categories of purchasable service credit are explained below.
Federal, Military, or Other Public Agency Located Within California
Board of Retirement Regulations
Type of Service
Employment with the United States government (including military service), the State of California, or any department or agency of either, or any public entity (including employment with the County of Los Angeles) located within the State of California. Such employment must have occurred prior to your first entry into LACERA membership, and you must not be eligible now or in the future for a pension* or retirement allowance for such service, or for reciprocity benefits if you redeposit the contributions withdrawn from a reciprocal retirement system.
Eligible Members
All contributory members.
Term of Payment Contract
Up to 10 years (120 months).
Other Limitations
The total months/years of service credit you purchase may not exceed the length of your actual County service at the completion of your contract. The most recent period of service must be purchased first.
Calculation Method
The method is based on actuarial tables that determine the present value of the additional benefit you will receive after retirement.
*May exclude military pensions.
Note: If you have missing service credit during your LACERA membership due to military service, you may be eligible to pay normal retirement contributions for the period of absence and receive service credit.
Other Service
Board of Retirement Regulations
Type of Service
Prior nonvested County service in Plan E and County service prior to Plan E membership. This service must have occurred prior to your current contributory membership.
Eligible Members
All contributory members.
Term of Payment Contract
Up to 10 years (120 months).
Other Limitations
The total months/years of service credit you purchase may not exceed the length of your actual County service at the completion of your contract. The most recent period of service must be purchased first.
Calculation Method
The method is based on actuarial tables that determine the present value of the additional benefit you will receive after retirement.
