4 Participation Credit TRF My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan counts participation credit in lieu of service credit. Participation credit is earned in full. You may also be entitled to participation credit during military service and certain types of leave. 4.1 Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Eligibility You may also be eligible for participation credit if the provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) cover your military service. Conditions for USERRA eligibility are that you must meet all of the following criteria:  Applied for or currently hold a civilian job; and  Given written or verbal notice to the civilian employer prior to leaving the job for military training or service except when precluded by military necessity; and  Have not exceeded the five-year limit on periods of service, subject to certain exceptions; and  Been released from service under honorable conditions; and  Reported back to the civilian job in a timely manner or submitted a timely application for re- employment. All your employer’s contributions must be paid upon return to a TRF My Choice-covered position for leaves. INPRS relies on the assertions and verifications made by the plan’s participating employer. 4.2 Participation Credit for Leave of Absence As a TRF My Choice member you are entitled to years of participation credit for leaves of absence in some instances. During a paid leave of absence, your employer must make contributions and years of participation will be granted. 4.2.1 Leaves of Absence from Covered Employment If you go on an unpaid leave of absence for personal reasons, the employer may grant the leave with years of participation credit and accept the additional fund liability. The employer must make contributions for creditable leaves of absence. Creditable leaves are determined by the employer. Typically, paid leaves are considered creditable. During a qualifying paid leave of absence, both you and your employer must make contributions and participation credit will be granted to the extent permitted by law. During a qualifying paid leave of absence, USERRA, worker’s compensation leave, or paid suspension, the employer must make contributions and participation will be granted to the extent permitted by law. Workers’ compensation leaves count for years of participation credit for the full extent of the leave. You should speak with your employer about any leave and ask your employer to contact INPRS. You should also check with INPRS to find out how a leave will affect your years of participation. 4.2.2 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) You may also receive years of participation credit for up to 12 weeks of leave taken during a 12-month period under FMLA (29 USC 2601, et seq.). A copy of the grant of the leave of absence must be filed with INPRS within 90 days from the date the leave was authorized by the employer. TRF My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan Member Page 13 of 30 Handbook Effective: 07/01/2024