Military Service
Military service newly allowed by House Bill 3709 can only be granted for applications submitted on or after November 1, 2022.
If you are an active member of OPERS who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and received an honorable discharge, you are eligible for up to five years of prior or participating service credit for specified periods of active military service during which you were a war veteran.
Cost to Purchase Military Service
Members joining OPERS after June 30, 2000, may purchase eligible prior or participating military service at actuarial cost, which represents the amount required to fund an increase in future lifetime benefits. Eligible military service is free for members joining OPERS prior to July 1, 2000.
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Qualifying Periods of Military Service
The credit is limited to specific periods of active military service listed in paragraph 23 of Section 902 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which includes the following:*
| 45th Division | September 16, 1940 – December 7, 1941 |
| World War II | December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946 |
| Korean War | June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955 |
| Vietnam War | February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 (For the period from February 28, 1961 – August 4, 1964, service must be in the Republic of Vietnam) |
| Gulf War/Persian Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm | August 1, 1990 – December 31, 1991 |
| The former Yugoslavia (including Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia and Macedonia) By Public Law 104-117 |
Beginning November 21, 1995 Ending date to be determined |
| The Kosovo Area By Executive Order 13119 and Public Law 106-21 |
Beginning March 24, 1999 Ending date to be determined |
| Afghanistan/Operation Enduring Freedom By Executive Order 13239 and Public Law 106-21 |
Beginning September 18, 2001 Ending date to be determined |
| Iraq War/Second Gulf War/Operation Iraqi Freedom By Public Law 107-243 |
Beginning March 10, 2003 Ending date to be determined |
The actual periods for which military service can be granted are governed by Oklahoma State statute and can change from time to time. Consult the statutes and OPERS before relying on the above information.
Applying for Military Service Credit
To be eligible for credit, you will need to submit an Application for Military Service and a Defense Department Form 214 (“DD214”) and other military documents showing active duty dates and honorable discharge. Military service newly allowed by House Bill 3709 can only be granted for applications submitted on or after November 1, 2022.
Employees joining OPERS after June 30, 2003, will not receive credit for military service in OPERS if the credit was already received for the same period(s) of military service in another Oklahoma state retirement system.
USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act)
A member who is absent from work due to voluntary or involuntary military service can take advantage of the right, created under the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), to buy back service credit lost during the military absence. To assert rights under USERRA, see your Retirement Coordinator, or contact OPERS immediately upon your return to employment. Certain time limits and conditions must be met, and contributions may be required to be paid before service can be granted. For more information about USERRA, see your Retirement Coordinator.
Military Records Resources
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Dr
St Louis, MO 63138
314-801-0800 (Weekdays 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST)
* The list is for convenience only. The official periods for which military service is granted is found in Section 902(23) of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.