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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 11Art. 4§ 21002 Service Credit For Illness Leave

§ 21002 Service Credit For Illness Leave

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

§ 21002 Service Credit For Illness Leave

Key Takeaways

  • •If you take time off work because you're very sick or hurt, you can still get credit for that time toward your retirement.
  • •You have to pay for this credit before you retire, following the rules in Sections 21050 and 21052.
  • •You can buy this credit even if your time off was before or after January 1, 2016.
  • •Buying this credit doesn’t stop you from buying other retirement credits you’re allowed to get.

Example

Imagine you work for the state and had to take 6 months off because you broke your leg badly. You didn’t get paid during this time.

You can still count those 6 months toward your retirement if you pay for them later, following the rules. This won’t affect any other retirement credits you can buy.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21002 Service Credit For Illness Leave

A member who returns to active state service following an employer-approved leave of absence because of his or her serious illness or injury may elect to receive service credit for that period of uncompensated absence at any time prior to retirement by making contributions as specified in Sections 21050 and 21052. The purchase of additional service credit pursuant to this section shall not reduce the amount of service credit that the member is eligible to purchase pursuant to this chapter. A member may purchase service credit pursuant to this section for a leave of absence that occurred either before or after the effective date of these provisions. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 244, Sec. 4. (SB 216) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

service creditemployer-approved leave of absenceserious illness or injurySections 21050 and 21052

Related Statutes

  • § 21007 Service Credit For Leave
  • § 21006 Educational Leave Service Credit
  • § 21009 Partial Leave Compensation Rules
  • § 21010 Service Credit Contributions
  • § 21011 Service Credit Contribution Rates

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 21002.
View Official Source