Purchasing Service Credits

School District of Philadelphia (SDP) employees may be eligible to purchase time with the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) if they were out on a leave*, took a refund of contributions, or contributed to a public school pension system out-of-state. It may be beneficial to help you reach the next milestone for normal retirement or to be vested with PSERS. 

The types of purchasable leave include the following:

  • Workers’ Compensation
  • Education Leave
  • Military Leave
  • Previously refunded pension contributions for Full-Time salaried, employees    (scheduled 25+ hours/week)
  • Previously refunded pension contributions for Part-Time, salaried employees (scheduled less than 25 hours/week)
  • Pension service credits from an out-of-state school district (This entire process will be completed with PSERS)

How do I apply to purchase these service credits?

In order to qualify, you must be actively working at the SDP. To be considered, please contact PSERS to certify that you did not already receive credit for the time you are requesting to buy back. PSERS will determine your eligibility to purchase service. PSERS will notify you of your approval or denial to purchase time via your mailing preference. 

To apply, please begin by selecting the link of the application process that applies to you:

If you are approved to purchase service credits, you will receive a Statement Amount Due, via your PSERS mailing preference. Please complete the form provided below, and return this, along with the Statement Amount Due to the Pension (Retirement) Department for processing. Please only complete the below form once you have been approved and received a statement of amount due from PSERS.

For additional information or questions, please contact PSERS directly at 1-888-773–7748.