Increasing Service Credit

Purchasing Service Credit

The Revised Code allows STRS Ohio members to purchase service credit for certain types of past employment and leaves of absence. Purchasing service credit may increase your amount of retirement income or enable you to retire sooner. Service concurrent with Ohio public service or with other purchasable service may not be purchased.

Because records are sometimes difficult to obtain, it is advisable to certify the service credit as soon as possible. Certifying credit does not obligate you to buy the credit, but does verify the credit amount and current cost. Once credit is certified, cost statements from STRS Ohio can be updated at any time for most types of purchasable credit.

If you intend to purchase credit, the service must be certified before your effective retirement date (the first of the month after your last day of paid service assuming age and service requirements are met), and purchased no later than three months after retirement. You may wish to delay your retirement if you are unable to complete your purchase before this deadline.

How to Certify Purchasable Credit
Methods of Payment for Purchasing Credit
Important Considerations Before Purchasing Service Credit
Effects of Purchasing Service Credit
Survivors & Purchasing Credit
Disability & Purchasing Credit
Types of Purchasable Service Credit