Buying service
Before retirement a vested member may buy at actuarial cost: up to 10 years of non-covered or retroactive public service, up to 5 years of out-of-state public service (or teaching in U.S. overseas dependent schools), and up to 2 years of professional leave per 10 years of service. Payment may be direct (after-tax) or by eligible rollover. No purchases after retirement. Tier 5 members can't buy service. Member Handbook (2024), pp. 17, 19; Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 64, §§ 101-102
A year past 25 (Tiers 1-3) or 30 (Tier 4) adds $1,250 a year on $50,000 average compensation; a year below that adds $1,000.
Military service
Up to 4 years of active-duty military credit at no cost (vested; entered or re-entered state service after discharge; not dishonorable). USERRA service that interrupts covered employment can be bought with employee and employer contributions. Member Handbook (2024), p. 18
Unused leave
Lawfully accumulated, uncompensated personal and major medical leave certified at retirement converts to service credit (school employees who terminate on or after May 15, 1984). The employer needs a written policy. Must be vested. Member Handbook (2024), pp. 16, 58, Accumulated Unused Leave; Appendix B
| Days | Before July 1, 2017 | July 1, 2017 on |
|---|---|---|
| 15120 hours | 0.25 yr | 0.25 yr |
| 36288 hours | 0.25 yr | 0.25 yr |
| 57456 hours | 0.25 yr | 0.25 yr |
| 78624 hours | 0.5 yr | 0.5 yr |
| 99792 hours | 0.5 yr | 0.5833 yr |
| 120960 hours | 0.5 yr | 0.6667 yr |
| 1411,128 hours | 0.75 yr | 0.75 yr |
| 1621,296 hours | 0.75 yr | 0.8333 yr |
| 1831,464 hours | 0.75 yr | 0.9167 yr |
| 2041,632 hours | 1 yr | 1 yr |
| 2251,800 hours | 1 yr | 1.0833 yr |
| 2461,968 hours | 1 yr | 1.1667 yr |
Appendix B lists only 12 rows (15 to 246 days) and doesn't say whether the 'July 1, 2017, and After' column depends on the retirement date or when the leave was earned. Its post-2017 column (3 months for 15-57 days, then a month per 21 days) has no stated rule.
The table row for the largest listed day count at or below yours, using the post-2017 column for retirements on or after July 1, 2017; beyond 246 days we add one month per 21 days (post-2017) or a quarter per 63 days (pre-2017).
What would settle it: A Mississippi PERS regulation or a full Mississippi PERS leave conversion table.
The Member Handbook says unused leave becomes service credit at retirement and that any credit other than membership service needs you to be vested, but it doesn't say whether leave credit can help you reach 25 or 30 years.
The calculator adds leave credit to the benefit formula only, not to the years that make you eligible.
What would settle it: A Mississippi PERS statement or estimate for a member whose leave credit takes them over 25 or 30 years.
Repaying a refund
If you return to covered service after a refund, you may repay it plus non-refundable interest compounded annually from the refund date. Service is reinstated when you become vested. Tier 5 members can't repay refunds. Member Handbook (2024), pp. 17, 19, 59 (Appendix D); Hybrid Plan Handbook (2026), p. 13
| Refund taken in fiscal year | Interest rate |
|---|---|
| 1954-1980 | 5.5% |
| 1981-1985 | 7.5% |
| 1986-1994 | 8% |
| 1995 | 12.2% |
| 1996 | 5% |
| 1997 | 17.1% |
| 1998 | 15.1% |
| 1999-2015 | 8% |
| 2016-2021 | 7.75% |
| 2022 | 7.55% |
From the handbook's Appendix D. Member Handbook (2024), p. 59, Appendix D
- Before you retire, once vested, you can buy up to 10 years of non-covered or retroactive public service, up to 5 years of out-of-state public service, and up to 2 years of professional leave per 10 years of service, at actuarial cost. You can pay directly or roll over money from another plan.Member Handbook (2024), pp. 17, 19; Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 64
- Up to 4 years of active military service can be credited at no cost if you are vested and returned to public service after discharge.Member Handbook (2024), p. 18
- Unused personal and major medical leave converts to service credit at retirement (for example 204 days = 1 year).Member Handbook (2024), pp. 16, 58
- Check with Mississippi PERSIf you return after a refund, you can repay it with interest to get the service back.Handbook p. 14 says you must contribute for at least eight years; pp. 17 and 19 say service is reinstated when you become vested (rules.json conflicts: refund-repay-years).Member Handbook (2024), pp. 14, 17, 19
- Tier 5 members can't buy service credit or repay a refund.Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 64, § 101; Hybrid Plan Handbook (2026), p. 13
Questions
What service can I buy from Mississippi PERS?
Before you retire, once vested: up to 10 years of non-covered or retroactive public service, up to 5 years of out-of-state public service, and up to 2 years of professional leave per 10 years of service, at actuarial cost. Tier 5 members can't buy service.
Does unused sick leave count in Mississippi?
Yes. Unused personal and major medical leave your employer certifies turns into service credit at retirement, for example 204 days for one year.
Source: Mississippi PERS Member Handbook, Revised November 8, 2024, pp. 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 58, 59. Also: Hybrid Plan Handbook (2026); Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 64. Last reviewed .