OPERS Membership Prior to July 1, 2000

Those who became OPERS members prior to July 1, 2000 who also served in the Armed Forces of the United States in a time of war or national emergency and were honorably discharged may receive up to 5 years of military service credit without cost. The periods of active duty for which military service credit can be granted are listed below.

Prior to July 1, 2000, members were ineligible to receive military service credit if they were also receiving military retirement benefits (other than service connected disability benefits). Effective July 1, 2000, the prohibition on receiving military service credit for persons who are receiving military retirement benefits has been eliminated. Members, joint annuitants, and beneficiaries who are eligible for this credit must apply or reapply for military service credit on or after July 1, 2000. Therefore, those members who have previously been denied military service credit for this reason should complete a new Application for Military Service (Form 515-167-04) and submit it to OPERS on or after July 1, 2000. OPERS will also require a legible copy of the honorable discharge and military documents (e.g. DD214) showing date of entry and date of termination of active duty. The member’s complete name and Social Security number must be on these documents.

OPERS Membership July 1, 2000 or After

Those who became OPERS members July 1, 2000 or after who also served in the Armed Forces of the United States in a time of war or national emergency and were honorably discharged may receive up to 5 years of prior military service credit. To receive credit, these members must purchase this service at actuarial cost. The periods of active duty for which service credit can be granted are listed below.

Periods of Military Service for Which OPERS Service Credit Can Be Granted

"Military service" means service in the Armed Forces of the United States by an honorably discharged person during the following time periods, as reflected on such person’s Defense Department Form 214, not to exceed (5) years for combined participating and/or prior service, as follows:

1. during the following periods, including the beginning and ending dates, and only for the periods served, from:
   1. April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918, commonly referred to as World War I,
   2. September 16, 1940, to December 7, 1941, as a member of the 45th Division,
   3. December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946, commonly referred to as World War II,
   4. June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955, commonly referred to as the Korean Conflict or the Korean War,
   5. February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975, commonly referred to as the Vietnam era, except that:
      1. for the period from February 28, 1961, to August 4, 1964, military service shall only include service in the Republic of Vietnam during that period, and
      2. for purposes of determining eligibility for education and training benefits, such period shall end on December 31, 1976, or
   6. August 1, 1990, to December 31, 1991, commonly referred to as the Gulf War, the Persian Gulf War, or Operation Desert Storm, but excluding any person who served on active duty for training only, unless discharged from such active duty for a service-connected disability;
2. during a period of war or combat military operation other than a conflict, war or era listed in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, beginning on the date of Congressional authorization, Congressional resolution, or Executive Order of the President of the United States, for the use of the Armed Forces of the United States in a war or combat military operation, if such a war or combat military operation lasted for a period of ninety (90) days or more, for a person who served, and only for the period served, in the area of responsibility of the war or combat military operation, but excluding a person who served on active duty for training only, unless discharged from such active duty for a service-connected disability, and provided that the burden of proof of military service during this period shall be with the member, who must present appropriate documentation establishing such service.*

An eligible member under this paragraph shall include only those persons who shall have served during the times or in the areas prescribed in this paragraph, and only if such person provides appropriate documentation in such time and manner as required by the System to establish such military service prescribed in this paragraph, or for the service pursuant to subdivision a of division (v) of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph those persons who were awarded service medals, as authorized by the United States Department of Defense as reflected in the veteran’s Defense Department Form 214, related to the Vietnam Conflict for service prior to August 5, 1964.

* Members must provide documents showing that the war or operation is eligible and the specific dates that the member actually served in the area of responsibility.

Participating Military Credit

Military service can be granted to any member who serves on active duty in the Armed Forces and is also a war veteran serving during the periods above. However, the member must have been employed by an OPERS participating employer immediately before the member's active military service and must have returned to employment with an OPERS participating employer within 90 days following the discharge from active military service. Furthermore, in order to receive participating military service, a member could not have withdrawn his/her contributions.

NO MEMBER SHALL RECEIVE MORE THAN FIVE YEARS TOTAL OF MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT.

Merchant Marine

Members may receive prior service credit for Merchant Marine service during the wartime period from December 7, 1941, through August 15, 1945. OPERS credit is given only for the time actually served aboard ship and must be verified on a DD214 document obtained from the U.S. Veterans Administration. OPERS will also require a legible copy of the member's honorable discharge and military documents (e.g. DD214) showing date of entry and date of termination of active duty. The member's complete name and Social Security number must be on the documents.