SCERS Launches New Service Purchase Calculator

SCERS is pleased to introduce the Service Purchase Calculator, a new online tool designed to help members estimate the cost of purchasing or restoring service credit.

Purchasing service credit may allow eligible members to increase their total credited service, which can increase their retirement benefit. The new calculator gives members a convenient way to explore potential purchase options and better understand the estimated cost before submitting a request to SCERS.

The Service Purchase Calculator is available through the MySCERS member portal. Once logged in, members can generate an estimate based on their membership information and the type of service they are interested in purchasing or restoring.

Types of service you may be able to purchase are:

• Medical Leaves of Absence
• Pre-Membership Employment
• Re-Deposit of Previously Withdrawn Contributions
• Public Service

The estimate provided by the calculator is for planning purposes only and does not replace an official cost calculation from SCERS. However, beginning July 1, 2026, if you wish to pursue an official Request for Service Purchase Calculation (Form 6401), you must first generate a Service Purchase Calculator estimate using this tool. This estimate will be saved in your MySCERS account and will be required as an attachment to your Form 6401 submission.

Service credit purchases often come with sticker shock, as members have to make up for past contributions plus interest. Less than half of requests for service purchases are followed through on. In the past two years, SCERS received 1,643 service purchase requests for cost estimates, but only 692 were returned. The online calculator will save you time if you decide not to purchase.

More information about service purchases can be found at scers.gov/service-purchase-policy.