- Massachusetts State Retirement Board
Thank you for your continued patience if you have submitted a service purchase request to the State Retirement Board. Due to several ongoing internal projects and unexpected state agency incentives, our Service Purchase unit has experienced a significantly higher volume of submissions over the past 18 months, which has caused processing delays.
Currently, the Board is processing approximately 1,700 service purchase requests. Many of these requests require internal research related to the prior service on microfiche or are dependent on receiving accurate payroll information for the periods being purchased from state agencies or other retirement boards within the Commonwealth.
In many cases, Board staff must contact other retirement boards or state agencies to request the necessary information. This can add to the turnaround time that is needed to complete the initial request.
If you submitted a request before September 1, 2020, and have not received a response or would like a status update, please send an email to: buyback@tre.state.ma.us.
INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW
There are several steps involved in processing a creditable service purchase application. Once the application is received, it is reviewed to determine eligibility and what necessary information is needed to complete the calculation.
In some cases, other retirement boards or state agencies must be contacted for the necessary information. This can add to the turnaround time that is needed to complete the initial request.
Once all necessary information is received, a calculation is completed, and a bill is mailed. The payment options are included in this package. Once the bill is paid in full, you will receive a letter indicating that the buyback is complete.
If it is determined that the service is not eligible, you will be informed of the reasons and what your options are going forward.
Currently, we are prioritizing applications where a member has indicated that they are retiring in the upcoming months. All other applications are being processed according to the received date – oldest to newest.
If you are retiring within the next three to six months and already have submitted a service purchase application, please contact us so we may prioritize your request.
If you are not retiring soon and have spoken with us in the past several weeks, please allow us some time to continue working on your request before contacting us again. Please do not resubmit your request.
We apologize for any delay you may encounter and thank you for your continued understanding during this time.