Faculty Handbook

Credit for Past Service

Last updated: 6/6/2019

IV. ACADEMIC HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES (Cont.)

This policy was issued by the Office of the Provost on March 16, 1987, and revised on June 6, 2019.

For retirement vesting purposes only, a faculty/academic staff member may receive credit for past service if the following conditions are met:

  1. Employees1 who terminate employment from Michigan State University for more than twelve (12) months and subsequently are re-employed as faculty/academic staff by MSU for five (5) or more continuous years at half-time or more are eligible to apply for credit for the previous employment.
  2. A minimum of one year of service2 (at 50% time or more) prior to the date of termination is required to apply for credit for past service.
  3. Approved leaves of absence or sabbatical leaves do not constitute a break in service.

Credit for past service applies solely to the minimum retirement requirements and has no effect on any other University benefits or programs. To apply for credit for past service, faculty/academic staff must submit a written request to MSU Human Resources, after establishing five years of continuous re-employment.

  1. Name (indicate if previously employed under a different name)
  2. Pernr (personnel number)
  3. Present Department
  4. Previous Employment Date
  5. Separation Date
  6. Re-employment Date

For information on retiring from the University, please see the Policy for Retiring from the University. For more information on the benefits available for official MSU retirees, including the University's contribution toward health and dental and detail on Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Service Months, please see the Retiree Benefits Policy. For a summary of how benefits will change in retirement, please see the Effect of Retirement on Benefits.

Questions regarding this procedure should be directed to MSU Human Resources, 517-353-4434.

[1] For purposes of this policy, “employees” include faculty, academic staff, or support staff. 
[2] One year of service includes academic year (AY) appointments.

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