Under certain circumstances, members can purchase credited service in the system from employment with other governmental entities, APERS forfeited service, or prior Arkansas public service not previously covered under the system. The most common types of service purchases are military service purchases and refund repayments.
If you have a minimum of five (5) years of actual service (including through reciprocity), you may be eligible to purchase military service. If you were honorably discharged, you may purchase up to five years of active-duty military credit and up to five years of National Guard or Armed Forces reserve service credit. You must submit documentation of your service (such as a DD-214 for active duty).
Refund repayments require that you have been re-employed (or have been an active member of a reciprocal system) for 90 days, working at least 80 hours per month. You must pay the amount refunded to you, plus compounded interest, from the date of your refund to the date of your repayment.
| Criteria | Military Service | National Guard | Refund Repayment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Requirement | 5 Years | 5 Years | 90 Days, 80 Hours |
| Other Eligibility | Honorable Discharge | N/A | N/A |
| Purchase Limit | 5 Years | 5 Years | Up to Total Service Refund |
| Documentation Required | DD Form 214 | DD Form 214 or NGB Form 23 | None |
Other types of purchased services include:
- Out-of-state governmental service
- Federal government service
- Other service with an APERS-participating public employer not previously covered (educational leave time, time lost to worker’s compensation injury, or service paid by a federal grant)
How-To
I am interested in purchasing military service. What do I need to do? Send a message in your myAPERS portal, or contact APERS at 501-682-7800. You will need to submit documentation of your military service, such as a DD-214. We will provide you with the cost to purchase the service.
I previously received a refund of contributions. How do I pay it back? Send a message in your myAPERS portal, or contact APERS at 501-682-7800. We can provide you with the cost to repay your refund to restore your service. We accept payment via check or money order, and in some cases, you may be able to roll over your funds from another retirement account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What actions can I take?
If you would like to establish reciprocity or inquire about a service purchase, you may reach out to us via myAPERS or by phone at 501-682-7800.