4.4 Military Service Military service credit is administered in conjunction with the rights of the veterans under the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Only active-duty United States Armed Forces military service supported by a DD-214 bearing the Character of Discharge designation “Honorable” will be considered for adding service credits due to military leaves of absence. If you served in the United States armed services, you are eligible for PERF service credit equal to your actual military service if you meet all of the following conditions: • You were in a PERF-covered position prior to entering the military, • You left your PERF-covered position and went directly into the United States armed services, • You did not withdraw your DC account, • You left the military service and returned to the same employer in a PERF-covered position within 120 days after receiving an unconditional discharge. You may also be eligible for service credit if your military service is covered by the provisions of the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Conditions for USERRA eligibility are that you must meet all of the following criteria:  You applied for or currently hold a civilian job,  You gave written or verbal notice to the civilian employer prior to leaving the job for military training or service except when precluded by military necessity,  You have not exceeded the five-year limit on periods of service, subject to certain exceptions,  You have been released from service under honorable conditions, and  You reported back to the civilian job in a timely manner or submitted a timely application for re- employment. Active Duty Before USERRA Generally, if your military service was prior to USERRA, and while you were actively employed in a PERF- covered position, and did not take distribution of your DC, and return within 120 days of discharge, the time, up to 5 years, may be added to your service credit. There are exceptions. Active Duty After USERRA If your active-duty military service occurred after USERRA was implemented and while you were actively employed in a PERF-covered position, make sure that your employer is given notice of your leave of absence. Upon returning to work, supply your employer with a copy of your active-duty discharge paperwork so that your employer may report your time and any wage and contribution reporting owed to INPRS per USERRA regulations generally up to a maximum of 5 years. Report Military Service Your military service credit must be documented and reported by your employer. You must provide your employer with military documents that show your date of entry into active military service and the date you were honorably discharged from active military service. NOTE: Normally, you can provide this information by sending in the Department of Defense (DD) Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. These documents should be mailed to INPRS. See Chapter 1 for contacting INPRS. Public Employees’ Retirement Fund Hybrid Plan Page 17 of 48 Member Handbook Effective: 07/01/2024