Vesting
Vested after at least 600 hours in each of five calendar years (not necessarily consecutive, but a gap of more than five consecutive years with under 600 hours wipes out the earlier years), or on being an active member at normal retirement age. The engine approximates this as 5 years of service credit or reaching normal retirement age. IAP: vested from the first deposit. Oregon PERS OPSRP Preretirement Guide (June 2026), p. 6, Vesting; ORS 238A.115; Oregon PERS webpage 'Eligibility to retire: Tier One/Tier Two'; Oregon PERS Benefit Comparison Chart (Dec. 2024), p. 1, Vesting
You're vested after at least 600 hours in each of five calendar years. We don't have your hours, so we use years of service.
What we use: 5 years of service, or reaching normal retirement age while working.
Withdrawing
An inactive member (no Oregon PERS employment for a full calendar month after the last month worked) can withdraw. Withdrawing any account withdraws membership: the pension and service credit are forfeited. Tier One/Tier Two receive their IAP, EPSA, regular and variable account values; if they return they can repay the withdrawal plus interest (7.5% compounded, with 10 years of later service) or start over in OPSRP. OPSRP members receive their IAP and EPSA but not the pension's value; since July 1, 2020 an OPSRP member eligible to retire by age or service cannot withdraw. A non-vested OPSRP member with under 600 hours in each of five consecutive years forfeits retirement credit. Oregon PERS Employer Guide Ch. 1 (Sept. 2026), p. 18, Withdrawing membership; Oregon PERS OPSRP Preretirement Guide (June 2026), p. 7, Withdrawing account; Oregon PERS webpage 'Senate Bill 1049 (2019) - Member information', OPSRP withdrawal rule changes; Oregon PERS Tier One/Tier Two Preretirement Guide (June 2026), p. 18, Purchase of forfeited service; ORS 238A.145
Your IAP account is handled separately; see the IAP. If you keep the pension, starting it before your full-benefit age means an early retirement factor; when that age is depends on your program.
What the sources say
- After a full calendar month with no Oregon PERS employment you can withdraw your accounts, but withdrawing gives up your pension and service credit.Oregon PERS Employer Guide Ch. 1 (Sept. 2026), p. 18
- OPSRP members who withdraw get their IAP (and any EPSA) balance, not the value of the pension. Since July 1, 2020 an OPSRP member old enough to retire cannot withdraw.Oregon PERS OPSRP Preretirement Guide (June 2026), p. 7; Oregon PERS webpage 'Senate Bill 1049 (2019) - Member information'
Questions
When am I vested?
After at least 600 hours in each of 5 calendar years, or when you're working at normal retirement age.
What do I get if I withdraw?
Tier One/Tier Two: your IAP, any EPSA, and your regular and variable account values. OPSRP: your IAP and EPSA, not the value of the pension.
What do I give up?
Your pension and your service credit. If you come back later, Tier One/Tier Two members can repay with interest or start over in OPSRP.
Can I leave the money and retire later?
Yes. If you're vested you can leave it with Oregon PERS and start your pension from 55.
Source: Oregon PERS Tier One/Tier Two and OPSRP Preretirement Guides, Published June 2026, Oregon PERS Tier One/Tier Two Preretirement Guide (June 2026) p. 18; Oregon PERS OPSRP Preretirement Guide (June 2026) pp. 6, 7; Oregon PERS Benefit Comparison Chart (Dec. 2024) p. 1; Oregon PERS Employer Guide Ch. 1 (Sept. 2026) p. 18; Oregon PERS webpages: Eligibility to retire: Tier One/Tier Two; Senate Bill 1049 (2019) - Member information; ORS 238A.115, 238A.145. Last reviewed .