Can you buy service credit in TFFR?
Yes, if you're an active, licensed member under contract with a TFFR employer. You can buy refunded TFFR service, up to 5 years of air time once you have 5 years of earned service, and several kinds of other teaching, leave and military service. Most purchases cost the actuarial equivalent, and you must finish paying before you retire.
Bought years also count toward the Rule of 85 or 90, so a purchase can bring your unreduced date closer (see early retirement and one more year). They don't help you vest, except repurchased refunds and qualifying military service; refunds are explained on leaving teaching.
What you can buy
- Refunded TFFR service (on return to covered employment)
- Air time: up to 5 years, needs 5 years of earned TFFR service
- U.S. government agency teaching
- Approved unpaid leave of absence
- Legislative service
- Military service (non-USERRA purchase limited to 4 years by statute; USERRA/VRRA at special reduced cost)
- Accredited North Dakota private or parochial teaching
- Accredited out-of-state public, private or parochial teaching
- Full-time president of a board-approved professional educational organization
Handbook pp. 14-16, Purchasing Service Credit; p. 42, Air Time; NDCC 15-39.1-24; 15-39.1-15; 15-39.1-33; NDAC 82-05-04-04
The rules
Must be an active, licensed member under contract with a TFFR employer. Cost is actuarial equivalent (except legislative, organization-president and USERRA military). Pay in a lump sum, by rollover, or in installments up to 5 years; purchases must be complete before retirement, partial payment gives prorated credit. Purchased service (except refunds and military) does not count for vesting; air time counts toward the Rule of 85/90 and the benefit. Employers may buy up to 3 years for a member. Estimates are valid 90 days. Handbook pp. 14-16, Purchasing Service Credit; p. 42, Air Time; NDCC 15-39.1-24; 15-39.1-15; 15-39.1-33; NDAC 82-05-04-04
Our calculator doesn't price a purchase. TFFR gives you a cost estimate; add the years you'd buy to your service in the calculator to see what they'd add.
From the sources
- Active members can buy refunded TFFR service, up to 5 years of air time (after 5 years of earned service), out-of-state, North Dakota private or parochial, U.S. government agency, leave of absence, legislative, military and professional organization president service. Most purchases cost the actuarial equivalent.Handbook pp. 14-15; NDCC 15-39.1-24
- Purchased service, except refunded service and military service, does not count toward vesting. It does count toward the Rule of 85 or 90 and the benefit. Purchases must be finished before you retire; installments can run up to 5 years.Handbook p. 14 item 4; p. 15, Payment Options; p. 42, Air Time
Questions
Who can buy TFFR service credit?
An active, licensed member under contract with a TFFR employer. Purchases must be finished before you retire.
What is air time?
Service you buy without having worked it: up to 5 years, once you have 5 years of earned TFFR service.
Does bought service help me vest?
Generally no. Purchased service doesn't count toward vesting, except repurchased refunds and qualifying military service. It does count in the benefit.
How do I pay?
In a lump sum, by rollover, or in installments over up to 5 years.
Source: Teachers' Fund for Retirement Member Handbook, 5/7/2026, pp. 14-15, 14-16, 18-19, 42. Also: Retirement Guide (2023); NDCC 15-39.1-10, 15-39.1-24; NDAC 82-05-04-04. Last reviewed .