Short answer: you can buy some kinds of service, such as service you gave up by taking a separation benefit and other governmental service. Each year from 2000 on is worth 1.6% of your final average earnings in the formula. Purchased service doesn't count toward vesting (see leaving teaching). See also one more year, or add the years in the calculator.
What you can buy
- Service forfeited by taking a separation benefit. Needs three complete consecutive annual earnings periods of WRS service since returning; you may buy only as much as you've earned since returning.
- Other governmental service (public teaching outside Wisconsin, federal, other states, active military). Needs three consecutive WRS years; can't exceed your WRS service; you pay the full actuarial cost; credited as general category; doesn't count for vesting.
- Qualifying service: only non-teachers who began before Jan. 1, 1973.
Service forfeited through a separation benefit paid before Jan. 1, 2000 counts as pre-2000 service when bought back; paid after Dec. 31, 1999 counts as post-1999 service. ET-4121 (rev 6/8/2026), p. 4, Increase Creditable Service
Deadlines and limits
- ETF must receive your application and payment before you terminate. Up to 2 purchases a calendar year. ET-4121 (rev 6/8/2026), pp. 2-3, Forfeited Service / Other Governmental Service
- Purchased service does not count toward the service requirements for WRS vesting. ET-2119 (6/18/2026), p. 9, Buying Creditable Service
- Cost differs by type; ETF's Forfeited Service Cost Calculator gives unofficial estimates. No cost table is published in the downloaded sources.
Military service
Active military service before 1974: one year of credit for each five years of WRS-creditable service (5, 10, 15, 20), up to four years; discharge other than dishonorable. USERRA and continuous military service credit are separate. ET-4107 (rev 3/5/2025), p. 6, Creditable Military Service
What the sources say
- You can buy back service you forfeited by taking a separation benefit, after three complete consecutive years back in WRS, up to the amount earned since returning.ET-4121 (rev 6/8/2026), p. 2, Forfeited Service
- You can buy other governmental service, such as public school teaching outside Wisconsin, federal service or active military, at the full actuarial cost, up to your WRS service. It is credited as general service and doesn't count toward vesting.ET-4121 (rev 6/8/2026), p. 3, Other Governmental Service
- ETF must receive your application and payment before you terminate. You can make two purchases a calendar year.ET-4121 (rev 6/8/2026), pp. 2-3; ET-2119 (6/18/2026), p. 9
- Military service before 1974 may be credited free: one year for each five years of WRS service, up to four years.ET-4107 (rev 3/5/2025), p. 6, Creditable Military Service
Questions
What can I buy?
Service you gave up by taking a separation benefit, and other government service such as public teaching outside Wisconsin, federal service or active military.
When do I have to buy it?
ETF must receive your application and payment before you end WRS employment. You can make up to 2 purchases a calendar year.
Does bought service help me vest?
No. Purchased service doesn't count toward the 5-year vesting rule.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the type. ETF's booklets don't publish a cost table. ETF has an online calculator for forfeited service, and charges the full actuarial cost for other governmental service.
Source: Your Benefit Handbook (ET-2119), 6/18/2026, with Calculating Your Retirement Benefits (ET-4107, rev 3/5/2025), ET-2119 pp. 8, 9; ET-4107 p. 6; ET-4121 pp. 2, 3, 4; ET-4133 p. 11; Wis. Stat. s. 40.285. Last reviewed .