Waiting Period for Active Employees

Depending on when you started working at a Texas state agency, you may have had a waiting period before you started making retirement contributions. If you were hired before September 1, 2022 you can buy this time to help you retire earlier and increase your monthly payment.

You have had a waiting period if you were:

  • hired before September 1, 1973 (30-day waiting period)
  • hired between September 1, 2003 – August 31, 2015 (90-day waiting period) or
  • hired between September 1, 2014 – August 31, 2015 and did not have an existing account balance with ERS.

You may purchase that time as service credit after your waiting period is over. You can use money from a Texa$averSM 401(k) or 457 or another qualified plan or with a direct lump sum payment.

Request Service Purchase Cost

The cost of waiting period service that was completed before August 31, 1973, includes the contributions you would have made plus 10% interest for each fiscal year from the date the service was performed. 

The cost of waiting period service after August 31, 2003, is based on actuarial cost factors using your age and years of service. For more information, contact ERS