
To restore service credit, you must repay the total amount withdrawn within 60 service credit months of returning to service, or before you retire, whichever comes first. Payment must be completed by this deadline, or your service cannot be restored under this method.
It is still possible to purchase withdrawn and optional service credit after the deadline; however, the cost is considerably more expensive. You can learn more by reading Plan 3 Recovery of Withdrawn or Optional Service Credit.