Maternity / Paternity / Child Rearing Time

Eligibility

You may purchase up to five years of service credit for maternity, paternity, or child rearing if you separated from Michigan public school or out-of-system public educational service. You may also purchase service credit if you reduced your hours from Michigan public school or out-of-system public educational service for maternity, paternity, or child rearing.

Conditions

• This service cannot be used to satisfy vesting requirements.
• You may purchase this service before you are vested, but it will not be credited to you until you reach vested status.
• Your employer(s) must certify the date you separated or reduced hours.

Cost

You may purchase any fraction of a year increment.The cost to purchase maternity, paternity, or child rearing time is based on an actuarial formula. Click here to learn how to calculate actuarial cost.

Application

Submit a Maternity / Paternity / Child Rearing Service Credit (R0008C) application with a copy of your child's birth certificate or final adoption papers. If you are also applying for time you separated from an out-of-system public educational agency, you must also submit an Out-of-System Public Educational Service Credit (R0149C) application.

Follow the directions provided on the form. For more information on purchasing service credit, see How to Purchase Service Credit.