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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 11Art. 1§ 20908 Service Credit Election Period

§ 20908 Service Credit Election Period

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 20908 Service Credit Election Period

Key Takeaways

  • •If you didn't get credit for some of your work time when you joined the state retirement system, you have a small window (between the 47th and 49th month after joining) to claim that missed time.
  • •To get credit for that missed time, you must move your saved retirement money (plus any earnings) from your old retirement plan to the new state system.
  • •If you miss that 47-49 month window, you can still claim the missed time later, but you’ll have to pay extra money to make up for it.

Example

Imagine you worked for the state for 2 years but didn’t get credit for that time when you joined the retirement system. You realize this 4 years after joining.

You have a short time (between month 47 and 49 after joining) to move your old retirement savings into the new system to get credit for those 2 years. If you miss that time, you can still add those 2 years later, but you’ll have to pay more money to do it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 20908 Service Credit Election Period

(a) A member who, pursuant to Section 20281.5, did not accrue service credit with respect to his or her service to the state may elect to receive credit for that service within the period of time beginning on the first day of the 47th month and ending on the last day of the 49th month after the date on which the member became a member of the system. (b) Any member electing to receive credit for service under this section shall cause to be transferred to the system the accumulated contributions, including earnings, standing to the member’s credit in the retirement program established pursuant to Chapter 8.6 (commencing with Section 19999.3) of Part 2.6. Upon transfer of the accumulated contributions, including earnings, the member shall receive credit for all service that, pursuant to Section 20281.5, was not credited. (c) A member who does not make the election within the period specified in subdivision (a), may elect at any time prior to retirement to receive credit for the service that otherwise would have been credited if the member was not subject to Section 20281.5, by making the contributions specified in Sections 21050 and 21052. (Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 328, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2006.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

service creditaccumulated contributionsretirement program

Related Statutes

  • § 20910 Service Credit Election Rights
  • § 20891 Retirement Fund Reclassification Exemption
  • § 20899 Elective Officer Service Credit
  • § 20899.5 Elective Officer Service Credit
  • § 20901 Early Retirement Incentive Program

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 20908.
View Official Source