California Education Code,
Section 22827, allows members who retired between June 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007 to purchase
foreign school service credit. To be eligible, service must have been performed as an employee of
an educational institution that:
- Is located outside of the United States and its territories
- Receives a portion of its funding from any foreign or domestic public source
- Provides a level of education comparable to kindergarten though 12th grade
Time spent teaching in the Peace Corps is voluntary and not eligible for the purchase of foreign
school service credit.
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Submit an Out-of-State or Foreign
School Service Credit Certification form for each former foreign retirement system or employer.
This form is available online or by calling Member Services at 800-228-5453.
To ensure your eligibility to purchase foreign school service credit:
- Return the required form to CalSTRS by June 30, 2009.
- Make sure the form is complete.
- Verify you are not receiving, or eligible to receive, a benefit for this service in another
public retirement system, excluding social security.
CalSTRS must receive the completed form by June 30, 2009. The completed form must include proper
certification from:
- Your former retirement system
- Former employer
- Or both where applicable
Incomplete forms will not be accepted. Contact CalSTRS Service Credit
Support if you have difficulty or delay in obtaining verification.
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Submit your Out-of-State or Foreign
School Service Credit Certification form directly to the Department of Defense Education Activity
(DoDEA). Call the DoDEA at 703-588-3987 for any questions.
DoDEA Human Resources Center
Records Mgmt Unit – 6th Floor
4040 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203-1634
Allow 10 – 14 days for processing.
If it has been more than a year since you performed your foreign school service, send your request to:
National Archives and Records Administration
National Personnel Records Center
(Civilian Personnel Records)
111 Winnebago Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
Verification must be received by CalSTRS no later than June 30, 2009.
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You may purchase all, or a portion, of your available foreign school service credit.
Cost is based on:
- The permissive service credit contribution rate for your age at the time of your election. See
page 6 of
Purchase Additional Service Credit for rate information.
- Your highest annual earnable salary during the last three years of creditable CalSTRS service.
- The amount of service credit you purchase.
To estimate cost, use the Permissive Service Credit Calculator.
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Payments can be made by rollover of acceptable funds or by check. Only lump-sum payments are acceptable.
If payment is not submitted within 30 days of receiving the bill for this purchase, your request will be
canceled. However, you may submit a new request anytime before June 30, 2009.
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Purchasing service credit increases your monthly retirement allowance. Full payment is due before your
retirement benefit reflects the service credit purchase. The adjustment is made retroactive to your
effective retirement date.
Calculating your final compensation excludes the salary earned for foreign school service when determining
the highest average annual compensation earnable.
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If the additional service credit brings your total service credit to the number of years required, then the
credit purchased qualifies for:
- One-year final compensation
- Longevity bonus
- Career factor
Calculating your final compensation excludes the salary earned for foreign school service when determining the
highest average annual compensation earnable.
CalSTRS adjusts your retirement allowance based on your purchase of additional service credit retroactive to
your effective retirement date.
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No. California Education Code,
Section 22827, specifically precludes using the foreign school service credit to meet the eligibility
requirements for disability benefits.
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No. You may only purchase foreign school service credit. All other types of service needed to be purchased prior
to your retirement.
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