Purchase of Prior VRS Service
Through legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) has simplified and expanded the ability to purchase service credit. Following are highlights of the changes:
5% cost to purchase - must be initiated within three years of employment date or by July 1, 2004, whichever is later.
No vesting or minimum years of service requirement to purchase service.
The ability to purchase up to four years each of military, federal, public, and "previously ineligible" service.
Refunded service may be purchased at 5% through payroll deduction. After July 1, 2004 (or within three years of employment date), purchase must be made in lump-sum payment.
Please view the VRS Purchase of Prior Service Web site for more detailed information and timeframes.
To purchase refunded service or service through the military, federal or other public retirement system, complete the Purchase of Service Form (VRS-26) [".pdf" fillable] and follow the instructions on the form for certification and mailing.
To purchase previously ineligible VCU service, please do the following:
Step 1: Obtain and complete forms; gather documentation.
Purchase of Service Form (VRS-26) [".pdf" fillable]
Documentation - attach copies of documentation that can identify hours and position.*
* Examples of documentation: Timesheets; paycheck stubs; employment contracts; class bulletins;
Personnel Action Forms (PAFs); W-2 statements and hourly rates; Social Security Earnings Statements
(VCU employment only); letters from deans or department heads with dates of employment, job titles, and
hours worked/percentages of time.
Step 2: Submit the VRS-26 form, VCU Employee Certification Form, and copies of your documentation to:
VCU Human Resources
Attn: Benefits Administration
P.O. Box 842511
Upon receipt of all completed forms and documentation, you should receive a response from VCU Human Resources within 3-4 weeks.
Step 3: VCU Human Resources will return your VRS-26 form to you. You will then:
Sign your VRS-26 form.
Send the original signed VRS-26 form to:
Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
Member Services Unit
P.O. Box 2500
Richmond, VA 23218-2500
Keep a copy for your records.
VRS has indicated it will take 6-9 weeks for you to receive your cost letter.
Step 4: If you wish to purchase service, you have three payment options:
Lump-sum payment.
After-tax payroll deduction.
Pre-tax payroll deduction.**
** Note: Purchasing service through pre-tax payroll deduction requires completing a contract. Contract forms are available
on-line (".pdf" fillable) from VRS and from the VCU Human Resources' Lindsey House Quick Stop at 600 West Franklin Street
To purchase service through payroll deduction, you must submit a copy of your cost letter and the deduction form (pre-tax or after-tax) to:
VCU Payroll Services
Attn: Debbie Hall
P.O. Box 842511
If you have questions or need further assistance with your purchase-of-prior-service application, contact us at benefits@vcu.edu.
Mailing address: Virginia Commonwealth University | Human Resources - Benefits Administration
Human Resources Building, 104 North Belvidere Street, P.O. Box 842511 | Richmond, VA USA 23284-2511
Phone: (804) 827-1770 (Voice) | (800) 828-1120 (TDD) | Fax: (804) 828-0321 | Email: benefits@vcu.edu
This page is maintained by the VCU Human Resources web team | Revised: October 09, 2007
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