Request a Buyback of Prior Public Service

• If you took a refund of your retirement contributions, you can re-establish credit for the refunded service by entering into a buyback agreement with your retirement system
• Generally, you cannot start a buyback if you are not currently employed in the Massachusetts public sector (state, county, city, town, municipality, authority)
• You can repay in a lump sum or installment payments if approved by your retirement system
• You can use funds from a qualified retirement account to pay for all or part of your buyback
  • You will need to submit a Pre-Tax Rollover Form to your retirement system
• You will repay the contributions refunded plus interest 
• Your new membership date would be the date you re-entered service - even after completing a buyback and establishing credit for prior service
• You must complete your buyback prior to collecting any retirement benefits
• Contact your retirement system to start a buyback. PERAC does not have a buyback form but your system may ask you to complete their form before starting the buyback process.

No buyback obligation

• If you return to public service after taking a refund, you are not required to buy back the refunded service
• Getting information on purchasing prior service does not obligate you to purchase the service

Board specific buybacks:

• Contract service buybacks are handled by the State Retirement Board if you meet certain criteria
• For current teachers, out of state teaching buybacks are handled by either the MSRB or the Teachers' Retirement System for their members
• If you are a member of the Teachers' Retirement System, certain other teaching positions can count towards purchasable service. 

Military Service: 

• Veterans can buy back up to four years of military service.