Bottom line
Most optional service purchases belong to the FRS Pension Plan, not the Investment Plan. Limits and cost formulas vary by service type, and some purchases must be completed before transferring Pension Plan value into the Investment Plan.Key facts
- 4 years is the maximum cited by MyFRS for certain military service purchases in the Pension Plan.
- 2 years is the maximum cited for approved leaves of absence without pay.
- 5 years total is the MyFRS limit for certain out-of-state and qualifying non-FRS public or school service purchases.
Identify the service type before asking what it costs
Florida groups service-credit purchases by the reason the service is missing. MyFRS lists past service, refunded service, certain military service, approved unpaid leave, out-of-state public service, qualifying non-FRS public or school service in Florida, and some disability periods. Each category has its own eligibility rules. A teacher who simply asks to “buy five years” can get the wrong answer because the statute does not sell generic extra time unrelated to a qualifying service history.
The documents needed also differ. MyFRS publishes FR-28 for a leave-of-absence purchase, FR-30 to verify in-state or out-of-state service, and military forms including MF-1 and MF-2. Before paying an estimate, the member should have the prior employer or military record matched to the correct purchase category. That classification determines the maximum amount, the salary base used in the cost formula, and whether the service is even purchasable.
The Pension Plan can buy categories that the Investment Plan generally cannot
MyFRS’s current plan comparison is clear that optional service purchases are mainly a Pension Plan feature. Pension Plan members may qualify to purchase several categories of prior service. Investment Plan members generally cannot buy optional service credit unless federal law mandates the service credit, such as certain military leave. This difference matters for a teacher deciding whether to change plans because a service purchase that improves Pension Plan value may not remain available after the transfer is complete.
MyFRS specifically warns that a member who plans to transfer the present value of a Pension Plan benefit into the Investment Plan must complete eligible additional-service purchases in the Pension Plan before that transfer. The practical sequence is therefore verify service, obtain the official cost, decide whether to purchase, and only then finalize a plan transfer. Reversing that order can close an otherwise available service-credit route.
The example cost for out-of-state or in-state public service can grow materially with interest
For an in-state or out-of-state public-service purchase, MyFRS gives an example formula of 20% of the salary earned in the first full work year as an FRS member, or 20% of $12,000 if that is greater, plus 6.5% interest compounded annually from the first year of FRS membership. The actual cost depends on the service category and record, so that example should not be copied onto military, leave, or refunded service without an official estimate.
The interest component makes timing meaningful. A teacher who qualifies for a purchase can face a higher cost after additional years of compounding, even though the underlying prior service has not changed. That does not mean every purchase is financially advantageous; it means the member should obtain the official cost while the option is still open and compare the benefit effect separately from the payment amount before making an irrevocable decision.
Match the prior service to an authorized category and its cap
FRS service purchases are tied to documented categories, not a generic right to buy extra years. MyFRS lists certain military service, approved unpaid leave, refunded service, qualifying public service, and specified school service. The prior record must fit the category before the Division can price or credit it.
Refunded FRS service is a separate restoration category. A returning member may be able to buy that service back after meeting the applicable employment and payment rules. The cost depends on the official history and interest, so a current salary alone does not reveal the repurchase amount.
| Service type | MyFRS limit/example |
|---|---|
| Certain military service | Up to 4 years |
| Approved unpaid leave | Up to 2 years |
| Qualifying in/out-of-state public or school service | Up to 5 years total in applicable categories |
| Refunded FRS service | Repurchase rules and interest apply |
Use the correct verification form before paying a purchase estimate
FR-30 verifies qualifying in-state or out-of-state service, while FR-28 is used for an approved leave purchase. Military eligibility uses separate forms such as MF-1 and MF-2. These records establish dates, employer type, compensation, and whether another retirement system already credited the same service.
Verification can expose overlapping or ineligible service before money changes hands. Ask the Division to validate the service first and then issue the cost calculation. A preliminary estimate is useful for planning, but the final credited years and months should match the verified record.
| Service | Form/resource |
|---|---|
| Leave without pay | FR-28 |
| In/out-of-state service | FR-30 |
| Military eligibility | MF-1 / MF-2 |
| General category rules | MyFRS Purchase comparison |
Read the 20% plus interest formula as an example tied to a specific category
MyFRS’s public-service example uses 20% of the first full-year FRS salary, or 20% of $12,000 if greater, plus 6.5% compound interest from the first year of FRS membership. That explains why waiting can materially raise the cost.
The example is not a universal formula for military, leave, disability, or refunded service. Obtain a written Division estimate showing principal, interest, service to be credited, and payment terms. Then compare the purchase with the change in the official projected Pension Plan benefit.
| Component | MyFRS example |
|---|---|
| Salary base | 20% of first full FRS-year salary |
| Minimum comparison base | 20% of $12,000 if greater |
| Interest | 6.5% compounded annually |
| Final cost | Division calculation controls |
Before you make a decision
- Identify the exact prior-service category you want credited.
- Collect employer, military, or leave records before requesting a cost.
- Use the published form for that service category.
- Ask the Division for a written principal-and-interest calculation.
- Complete an elected Pension Plan purchase before transferring present value to the Investment Plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can FRS members buy extra years just to retire sooner?
Not as arbitrary extra time. Pension Plan purchases are limited to authorized service categories such as certain military service, approved unpaid leave, refunded service, qualifying public service, and specified school service. The member must document the underlying service and satisfy the category’s requirements before the Division will credit it.
How much military service can I purchase in the FRS Pension Plan?
MyFRS lists up to four years for certain military service, subject to documentation and eligibility. Military leave required by federal law can follow different rules from an optional purchase. MyFRS publishes MF-1 and MF-2 forms, so the Division should classify the service before the member relies on the four-year cap.
How much unpaid-leave service can Florida FRS credit?
MyFRS lists up to two years for approved leaves of absence without pay in the Pension Plan. Eligibility depends on the leave and required payment. FR-28 is the published form for this category. Obtain an official calculation because the cost does not necessarily match the public-service example.
Can an FRS Investment Plan member purchase prior public service?
Generally not as an optional purchase. MyFRS says the Investment Plan does not permit additional service-credit purchases unless federal law requires the credit, such as certain military leave. A Pension Plan member planning to transfer present value should complete any eligible optional purchase before the transfer.
What does FRS charge for out-of-state service credit?
MyFRS gives an example using 20% of the member’s first full-year FRS salary, or 20% of $12,000 if greater, plus 6.5% annual compound interest from the first year of membership. The Division’s written calculation controls the actual amount for the verified service category.
Official sources
Sources were reviewed on September 1, 2026. Rules and member records maintained by the retirement system control.
MyFRS — Purchase of Additional Retirement Service CreditOfficial source ↗MyFRS — FormsOfficial source ↗This article provides general educational information. It is not a benefit determination or financial, tax, or legal advice. Confirm account-specific information with the retirement system.