There are specific eligibility and verification requirements for each purchase; contact MainePERS Retirement Services. Handbook p. 8, Additional Service Credit Available For Purchase
| Service | What it is | Most you can buy |
|---|---|---|
| Active military | Active duty before you became a member | 4 years |
| Out-of-state | Service for a state other than Maine | 10 years |
| Non-contributory MainePERS | MainePERS-covered work before you became a member | no limit |
| Refunded | MainePERS service you previously refunded | no limit |
| Private/parochial teaching | Teaching in a parochial school or public or private academy | 10 years |
| Teacher prior service | Maine public school teaching before July 1, 1947 | no limit |
| Non-military federal service | Non-military public employment with the U.S. government | 5 years |
| Head Start | Work in a Maine Head Start program | 2 years |
| CETA | Employment under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act | no limit |
| VISTA | Volunteers in Service to America | 2 years |
| Fulbright Exchange | Fulbright Exchange Program | 2 years |
| Peace Corps | Peace Corps | 2 years |
| Foreign teaching | Teaching children of U.S. Foreign Service or armed forces personnel | 2 years |
| Teacher's aide | Teacher's aide or Ed Tech I in Maine public schools before becoming a teacher | no limit |
Handbook p. 8, Additional Service Credit Available For Purchase; 5 M.R.S. §17754, §17760(3)-(5), §17763, §17764
The handbook's purchase table lists Head Start at 2 years and non-military federal service at 5 years. The Active Members FAQ lists Head Start at 'No Limit' and 'Federal Service' (the federal employment service before it returned to state control) at 'No Limit'. We follow the handbook; the 5-year federal limit matches PL 2025, c. 206.
Handbook p. 8; MainePERS Active Members FAQs; Legislative Update (July 2025) p. 2PL 2025, c. 206 lets members buy up to five years of non-military federal service at actuarial cost. Legislative Update (July 2025) p. 2
Cost
No cost tables are published; MainePERS quotes each purchase. MainePERS accepts tax-deferred direct rollovers to pay for service credit purchases. MainePERS Active Members FAQs, Can I roll my 401(k) funds into my MainePERS account?
Your retirement age
If before July 1, 1993 (or July 1, 2011) you were eligible to buy enough service to reach 10 (or 5) years and you buy it before you retire, your NRA is 60 (or 62). Handbook p. 15, Note Which group am I in?
Credit you don't buy
Up to 5 years of military service if you left to serve and return within 90 days of discharge; up to 30 days a year for an unpaid leave of absence; up to 90 days of unused, unpaid sick and/or vacation leave at final termination; sabbatical credit at twice the fraction of salary paid. Handbook p. 7, Receiving Additional Service Credit; 5 M.R.S. §17760(1); §17756
From the sources
- You may be able to buy service for: active military before joining (up to 4 years), out-of-state work (10), private or parochial teaching (10), non-military federal work (5), Head Start, VISTA, Fulbright, Peace Corps or foreign teaching (2 each), and earlier MainePERS-covered work, refunded service or teacher's aide work (no limit).Handbook p. 8, Additional Service Credit Available For Purchase
- Each purchase has its own rules and MainePERS quotes the cost. You can pay with a direct rollover from a 401(k) or similar plan.Handbook p. 8; MainePERS Active Members FAQs
- You may get up to 5 years of credit for military service if you left a covered job to serve and returned within 90 days of discharge.Handbook p. 7, Military Service
Questions
What service can Maine teachers buy?
Among others: active military before you joined (up to 4 years), out-of-state service (up to 10), private or parochial teaching (up to 10) and service you refunded.
How much does it cost?
No cost tables are published; MainePERS quotes each purchase. MainePERS accepts tax-deferred direct rollovers to pay for service credit purchases.
Can buying service change my retirement age?
If before July 1, 1993 (or July 1, 2011) you were eligible to buy enough service to reach 10 (or 5) years and you buy it before you retire, your NRA is 60 (or 62).
Source: MainePERS Benefits for Teachers: Teacher Member Handbook, 2026, pp. 7, 8, 15, 16-17. Also: Legislative Update (July 2025); MainePERS Active Members FAQs; 5 M.R.S. §§ 17754, 17756, 17760, 17763, 17764. Last reviewed .