Frequently Asked Questions

When am I vested in the Retirement System?

You become vested once you have completed a specific number of years of retirement service credit with the Retirement System. This means that you are eligible to apply for lifetime monthly retirement benefits based on the retirement formula, and the age and service requirements of the Retirement System in which you participate, provided you do not withdraw your contributions.

In the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, you become vested once you have five years of creditable service.

In the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, you become vested once you have five years (10 years if you became a member on or after 8/1/11) of membership service, or if you are a law enforcement officer, once you have five years (10 years if you became a member on or after 8/1/11) of creditable service.

Updated 9/7/11