6.40 Past Service Credits/Member Account Corrections

4. Retroactive (IMRF Form "Application for Retroactive Service Credit”)

Certain groups of members who rendered qualifying service prior to their enrollment in IMRF may obtain past service A member can receive past service credit for service performed and earnings paid for a period prior to January 1 of the current year (January 1 through December 31). Past service falls into three categories of authorization: Requires Governing Body approval or prior resolution on file: Military leave provided by Illinois Pension Code, Retroactive service for elected officials, Application for prior service IMRF Benefit Protection Leave, and Out-of-state service credit authorization. Requires approval of Authorized Agent: Application for retroactive service credit, Omitted service credit verification, General Assembly application for service, and Certification of Sheriff’s Law Enforcement service. Requires application by member only: Application for reinstatement of service (repay a refund), Military leave provided under Federal law, and Conversion of up to 120 months of Regular plan service to SLEP. by submitting IMRF Form entitled, "Application for Retroactive Service Credit” and paying the required contributions plus interest.  

This form must be filed while the applicant is still participating in IMRF or covered by a reciprocal retirement system. Members eligible for retroactive service credit include:

1. Elected officials and city hospital employees who rendered qualifying service prior to their election of membership in IMRF. They may obtain up to 50 months (over their lifetime) of past service credit. A standing resolution (IMRF Suggested Form Resolution, "Resolution to Allow Elected or Appointed Governing Body Officials to Participate in IMRF") must be on file establishing the annual hourly requirements of positions held by elected officials (see 3.65 Participating Members).

   This suggested form resolution may be requested by the employer via secure message or by phone via the employer-only phone number at 1-800-728-7971.

EXCEPTION: An elected official will be eligible to purchase more than 50 months of past service credit if the governing body adopted the appropriate resolution (IMRF Suggested Form Resolution, ”Resolution To Allow More Than 50 Months of Retroactive Service Credit for Elected Officials,”) prior to January 1, 2002.

2. If the governing body did not adopt the resolution, the elected official will be limited to 50 months of past service.

3. Members who rendered qualifying service between January 1, 1956, and July 1, 1957, and were required to wait one year before being enrolled.

4. Employees of township road districts that became participating IMRF employers on June 1, 1974, as part of a township.

5. ROTC instructors who rendered qualifying service prior to October 1, 1977, the date this position was covered under IMRF.

Form 604A, Application for Retroactive Service Credit for Employees Previously Barred by Age, has been discontinued.

If you have an employee who was not eligible for IMRF participation when first hired because he/she was over the maximum age (over age 60 before 1981 or age 70 before September 1, 1989), please contact IMRF for instructions.

Members can access IMRF Form entitled, "Application for Retroactive Service Credit" by visiting the Member Access area on IMRF's website (www.imrf.org).