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New York State and Local Retirement System

Military Service Credit

A Message from Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

If you are a veteran, or are currently serving in any of the branches of the United States military, you have our sincere appreciation. We at the Retirement System, and in fact all New Yorkers, owe a debt of gratitude for your service to our country.

As a past or present member of the military, you should know that you may be eligible to receive retirement credit for your military service.

This brochure can help determine if you are eligible to purchase or receive any additional credit for your military service. Please read it carefully and contact us with any questions you might have.

Sincerely, Thomas P. DiNapoli State Comptroller

Eligibility

If you were honorably discharged from service in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service, you may be eligible for military service credit. Veterans who served in certain combat theaters or during certain periods of wartime may be eligible to purchase and receive credit for some or all of their military service.

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Buying Military Service Credit

In most cases, buying additional service credit will increase your pension. However, if you are close to the maximum service allowed for your retirement plan coverage, or in a special plan, the additional service credit may not benefit you.

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How to Estimate Your Pension

To estimate your pension with and without military service credit, use the retirement benefit calculator on our website at: www.osc.state.ny.us/retire/members/projmodl.htm.

In the box for service credit, enter your estimated service credit at retirement, with and without the military service. This may help you decide whether purchasing military credit is worth it for you.

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How to Get Military Service Credit

To find out if you qualify, or to request credit for your military service, send a letter and a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty form (DD-214) for all periods of active service to:

New York State & Local Retirement System Military Unit 110 State Street Albany, NY 12244-0001

After we receive your request, we will advise you of your eligibility and the cost, if any, to purchase this credit. We will calculate what this amount is and give you the following options on how to pay it:

  1. Through payroll deductions. (The length of time to purchase your military credit cannot exceed the total credit you are purchasing. For example, if you are buying one year of military credit, payment must be completed within a year.)
  2. Sending us a single lump sum payment.
  3. Authorizing a trustee-to-trustee transfer from your deferred compensation (457) or tax-sheltered annuity (403b) plan.

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Obtaining Your Military Records

If you do not have your DD-214 form and were discharged from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, you may request a copy by contacting the National Archives and Records Administration at:

National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 Website: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/index.html

Note: If your military records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center, they will issue you a Certification of Military Service that we will also accept. Veterans who have been separated from active service, but have Reserve status, should contact the Reserve Component of the appropriate branch of service.

Veterans currently in the National Guard should contact the Adjutant General’s Office of New York State. Recently discharged National Guard members, in most cases, will not be able to get their military records from NPRC until six months after discharge because of required processing.

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Where To Get More Information

For more information regarding military service credit you can visit our website at: www.osc.state.ny.us/retire/members/militaryservicecredit.htm. You can also contact our Call Center tollfree at 1-866-805-0990, or 518-474-7736 in the Albany, New York area.

VO1723 (Rev. 12/07)©2007, New York State and Local Employees’Retirement System

This publication provides a general summary of membership benefits, rights and responsibilities, and is not a substitute for any New York State or Federal law. For specific information about your benefits, please contact us.

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