(1) PURCHASE OF RETIREMENT CREDIT AUTHORIZED.—Subject to the provisions of subsections (2) and (3), a member of the Florida Retirement System may purchase up to 5 years of retirement credit for:
(a) Periods of public employment in this state; or
(b) Periods of employment in charter schools or charter technical career centers or in any nonpublic school or college in this state that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Credit for 1 year of such service may be purchased for each year of creditable service a member completes under the Florida Retirement System.
(2) LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS.—
(a) A member is not eligible to receive credit for in-state service under this section until he or she has completed the years of creditable service required for vesting under the Florida Retirement System, excluding service purchased under this section and out-of-state service claimed and purchased under s. 121.1115.
(b) A member may not purchase and receive credit for more than 5 years of creditable service aggregated under this section and s. 121.1115.
(c) Service credit claimed under this section shall be credited only as service in the Regular Class and is subject to s. 112.65.
(d) Service credit may not be purchased under this section if the member is eligible to receive or is receiving a pension or benefit from a retirement or pension plan based on or including the service. Eligibility for or the receipt of contributions to a retirement plan made by the employer on behalf of the employee is considered a benefit.
(e) A member is eligible to receive service credit for in-state service performed after leaving the Florida Retirement System only after completing at least 1 year of creditable service in the Florida Retirement System following the in-state service.
(f) The service claimed must have been service covered by a retirement or pension plan provided by the employer.
(3) COST.—The cost to purchase retirement credit under this section shall be calculated in the same manner as set forth in s. 121.1115(2) for purchase of credit for out-of-state service.
History.—s. 12, ch. 97-180; s. 2, ch. 98-18; s. 4, ch. 98-302; s. 8, ch. 98-413; s. 11, ch. 2000-169; ss. 42, 43, ch. 2003-399; s. 11, ch. 2009-209; s. 19, ch. 2011-68.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title X - Public Officers, Employees, and Records
Chapter 121 - Florida Retirement System
Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 121.011-121.40)
121.011 - Florida Retirement System.
121.012 - Inclusive provisions.
121.025 - Administrator; powers and duties.
121.031 - Administration of system; appropriation; oaths; actuarial studies; public records.
121.0312 - Review; actuarial valuation report; contribution rate determination process.
121.045 - Consolidation of liabilities and assets; existing systems.
121.046 - Merger of the Judicial Retirement System into the Florida Retirement System Act.
121.051 - Participation in the system.
121.0511 - Revocation of election and alternative plan.
121.0515 - Special Risk Class.
121.052 - Membership class of elected officers.
121.053 - Participation in the Elected Officers’ Class for retired members.
121.055 - Senior Management Service Class.
121.081 - Past service; prior service; contributions.
121.091 - Benefits payable under the system.
121.095 - Florida Retirement System Preservation of Benefits Plan Trust Fund.
121.1001 - Florida Retirement System Preservation of Benefits Plan.
121.101 - Cost-of-living adjustment of benefits.
121.111 - Credit for military service.
121.1115 - Purchase of retirement credit for out-of-state or federal service.
121.121 - Authorized leaves of absence.
121.122 - Renewed membership in system.
121.125 - Credit for workers’ compensation payment periods.
121.131 - Benefits exempt from taxes and execution.
121.133 - Cancellation of uncashed warrants.
121.135 - Annual report to Legislature concerning state-administered retirement systems.
121.136 - Annual benefit statement to members.
121.161 - References to other laws include amendments.
121.182 - Retirement annuities authorized for city and county personnel.
121.1905 - Division of Retirement; creation.
121.191 - Special acts prohibited.
121.192 - State retirement actuary.
121.193 - External compliance audits.
121.22 - State Retirement Commission; creation; membership; compensation.
121.231 - Attorney’s fees and costs under s. 121.23(2)(a); funding.
121.24 - Conduct of commission business; legal and other assistance; compensation.
121.35 - Optional retirement program for the State University System.