This table explains how service credit is earned. For additional information for active members, refer to Chapter 3 of the DRS Employer Handbook. This chart does not apply to Elected Officials or Substitutes.
All Periods
A member earns service credit as follows:
If compensated for 144 full time days or more = 1 year of service credit
If compensated for at least 20 full time days but less than 144 full time days = part year of service credit (number of days employed divided by 180)
If compensated for less than 20 full time days = 0 service credit
On or after September 1, 2008
A member employed in an eligible position earns service credit as follows:
If compensated in at least five months of a six month period and compensated for at least 630 hours = 6 months of service credit.
On or after September 1, 1991 A member employed in an eligible position earns service credit as follows:
If compensated in nine months of the school year and for 810 hours or more = 12 months of service credit.*
If compensated in nine months of the school year, and for at least 630 hours but less than 810 hours = 6 months of service credit
A member employed in an eligible position who does not qualify for a full or half year of service credit earns service credit as follows:
90 hours or more of compensation in a month = one month of service credit
At least 70 hours but less than 90 hours of compensation in a month = 1/2 month of service credit
Some compensation but less than 70 hours in a month = 1/4 month of service credit
Prior to September 1, 1991
A member employed in an eligible position earns service credit as follows:
If compensated in nine months of the school year and for 810 hours or more = 12 months of service credit.*
A member employed in an eligible position who does not qualify for yearly service credit earns service credit as follows:
90 hours or more of compensation in a month = one month of service credit
Some compensation but less than 90 hours in a month = 0 service credit
| Earn Period | Hours | Compensation | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/2023 | 190 | $6650 | Holiday leave, vacation leave, and sick leave were used during the year through 10/2023. The hours and compensation look normal to DRS |
| 02/2023 | 160 | $5600 | |
| 03/2023 | 160 | $5600 | |
| 04/2023 | 180 | $6300 | |
| 05/2023 | 180 | $6300 | |
| 06/2023 | 160 | $5600 | |
| 07/2023 | 190 | $6650 | |
| 08/2023 | 170 | $5950 | |
| 09/2023 | 170 | $5950 | |
| 10/2023 | 190 | $6650 | |
| 11/2023 | 160 | $6650 | Regular compensation $5600 + $1050 of holiday leave cash out which will be associated with 11/2023 for the 3 holidays (30 hours of pay) in this month. Note that no additional hours are reported. The $1050 is considered a deferred payment of overtime; the hours are considered to have been worked as a normal day on the holiday and reported already. It is as if the person worked the holidays and received double-time for doing so. The employee did not actually work extra hours, but in essence was paid overtime for working on a holiday. |
| 12/2023 | 180 | $6650 | Regular compensation of $6300 + $350 of holiday leave cash out which will be associated with the 1 holiday (10 hours of pay) in this month. Note that no additional hours are reported. The $350 is considered a deferred payment of overtime; the hours are considered to have been worked as a normal day on the holidays and reported already. |
*A member cannot earn service credit for any month before employment in an eligible position. For example, a member who is not employed in an eligible position until October would receive only 11 months of service credit although he or she may otherwise meet the annual criteria. Contact Employer Support Services for additional information.