Can plan members purchase prior service?

Yes.
Under the USPP plan members may purchase prior service as long as the service is pensionable, as defined by the Act, and as long as they are plan members as defined by the Act, when electing to purchase. Examples of prior service include:

1. worked service for which contributions were paid and subsequently refunded;
2. worked service with an employer under any other Plan, with whom the USPP has a portability agreement, and where contributions were refunded;
3. authorized leaves of absence (It should be noted that the application to purchase authorized leaves of absence must be received by the Pension and Group Insurance Administration Division within ninety days from the date that the plan member returns to work. Compliance with this ensures that the calculation of cost will be based upon preferred cost. After ninety days the cost is based upon actuarial values.).

There are other periods of prior service that may be purchased. Please note that most purchase costs are now calculated using actuarial values. A significant component, in determining an actuarial cost, is the age of the plan member. For this reason, we advise that plan members pursue the purchase of prior service as soon as possible since the cost to purchase may increase as age advances.

For further information on purchase of service, including payment arrangements, plan members should see their Human Resources/Personnel representative.