What it costs
Purchase factor for your nearest age when the NJDPB receives the application x the higher of current annual salary or highest fiscal-year salary x years purchased. Military service before enrollment and U.S. Government service cost double (the member pays the full cost). Guidebook pp. 14-17, Purchasing Service Credit; Purchase Rate Chart p. 16
What a bought year is worth depends on your tier and the pension formula. One caution for retiree health: out-of-state or U.S. government service bought after Nov. 1, 2008 doesn't count toward the 25 years for employer-paid coverage (see retiree health). Guidebook pp. 14-15; Fact Sheet #11 p. 3
What you can buy, and limits
Out-of-State, U.S. Government and Military (before enrollment) service: up to 10 years combined (veterans up to 5 more years of wartime military service, 15 total). Leave without pay: up to 2 years for personal illness, 3 months for personal reasons. Out-of-State and U.S. Government service bought after Nov. 1, 2008 can't be used to qualify for employer-paid retiree health benefits. Guidebook pp. 14-17, Purchasing Service Credit; Purchase Rate Chart p. 16
How to pay
Lump sum, payroll deductions (minimum one-half of the normal contribution rate, up to 10 years, with interest at the assumed rate of return), a down payment plus deductions, or a rollover from a 401(a)/401(k), 403(a), 403(b), governmental 457(b) or pre-tax IRA (not a Roth or Coverdell). Guidebook pp. 14-17, Purchasing Service Credit; Purchase Rate Chart p. 16
Purchase rate chart
Factor for your age nearest your birthday when the NJDPB gets your application.
| Age | Factor |
|---|---|
| 20 | 0.031379 |
| 21 | 0.031759 |
| 22 | 0.032158 |
| 23 | 0.032578 |
| 24 | 0.033018 |
| 25 | 0.033480 |
| 26 | 0.033964 |
| 27 | 0.034471 |
| 28 | 0.035002 |
| 29 | 0.035558 |
| 30 | 0.036139 |
| 31 | 0.036748 |
| 32 | 0.037384 |
| 33 | 0.038048 |
| 34 | 0.038743 |
| 35 | 0.039469 |
| 36 | 0.040227 |
| 37 | 0.041019 |
| 38 | 0.041847 |
| 39 | 0.042711 |
| 40 | 0.043613 |
| 41 | 0.044555 |
| 42 | 0.045539 |
| 43 | 0.046567 |
| 44 | 0.047640 |
| 45 | 0.048761 |
| Age | Factor |
|---|---|
| 46 | 0.049932 |
| 47 | 0.051155 |
| 48 | 0.052433 |
| 49 | 0.053768 |
| 50 | 0.055163 |
| 51 | 0.056620 |
| 52 | 0.058144 |
| 53 | 0.059737 |
| 54 | 0.061403 |
| 55 | 0.063145 |
| 56 | 0.064967 |
| 57 | 0.066873 |
| 58 | 0.068868 |
| 59 | 0.070956 |
| 60 | 0.073142 |
| 61 | 0.072021 |
| 62 | 0.070853 |
| 63 | 0.069637 |
| 64 | 0.068380 |
| 65 | 0.067083 |
| 66 | 0.065746 |
| 67 | 0.064376 |
| 68 | 0.062973 |
| 69 | 0.061545 |
| 70 & older | 0.060100 |
Guidebook pp. 14-17, Purchasing Service Credit; Purchase Rate Chart p. 16
What the NJDPB says
- You can buy credit for things like temporary service, unpaid leaves (up to 2 years for illness, 3 months for personal reasons), former membership, and up to 10 years of out-of-state, U.S. government or military service.Guidebook pp. 14-15
- Cost = the factor for your nearest age x the higher of your current salary or highest fiscal-year salary x years bought. Example: age 45, $60,000, 18 months = $4,388.49. Military service before enrollment and U.S. government service cost double.Guidebook pp. 15-16, Purchase Rate Chart
Questions
How much does it cost to buy TPAF service credit?
Purchase factor for your nearest age when the NJDPB receives the application x the higher of current annual salary or highest fiscal-year salary x years purchased. Military service before enrollment and U.S. Government service cost double (the member pays the full cost). Example from the guidebook: age 45, $60,000 salary, 1.5 years costs $4,388.49 ($8,776.98 at full cost).
What service can I buy?
Out-of-State, U.S. Government and Military (before enrollment) service: up to 10 years combined (veterans up to 5 more years of wartime military service, 15 total). Leave without pay: up to 2 years for personal illness, 3 months for personal reasons. Out-of-State and U.S. Government service bought after Nov. 1, 2008 can't be used to qualify for employer-paid retiree health benefits.
How can I pay?
Lump sum, payroll deductions (minimum one-half of the normal contribution rate, up to 10 years, with interest at the assumed rate of return), a down payment plus deductions, or a rollover from a 401(a)/401(k), 403(a), 403(b), governmental 457(b) or pre-tax IRA (not a Roth or Coverdell).
Source: TPAF Member Guidebook, July 2026 (SP-0733-0726), pp. 14-17. Last reviewed .