Membership Service Credit

PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the manner in which credit is to be earned for full-time or part-time service in employment covered by the retirement system. (1) Membership service credit for full-time employment will be calculated based on the following ratio beginning July 1, 1997: The actual compensation received by the member for the school year divided by the annual compensation expected to be paid for that full-time position for a complete school year, as reflected on the beginning of the year report from the employer (or as later amended). Both the numerator and denominator will be determined without regard to the career ladder and medical benefits that are otherwise included in compensation. Credit resulting from the above calculation shall be rounded to the nearest hundred-thousandth. Not more than one (1) year of membership service credit will be allowed for any school year. (2) Where credit is allowed by law for part-time employment, the credit will be calculated based on the following ratio beginning July 1, 1997: The actual compensation received by the member for the school year divided by the annual compensation that would be paid for that position on a fulltime basis for a complete school year, as reflected on the beginning of the year report from the employer (or as later amended). Both the numerator and denominator will be determined without regard to the career ladder and medical benefits that are otherwise included in compensation. Credit resulting from the above calculation shall be rounded to the nearest hundred-thousandth. Not more than one (1) year of membership service credit will be allowed for any school year. (3) When a member terminates employment with an employer included in the retirement system before the end of a school year, the maximum credit that may be received for that school year for employment with such employer will be calculated based on the portion of the school year completed before termination of membership. When a member begins employment with an employer included in the retirement system after the start of a school year, the maximum credit that may be received for that school year for employment with such employer will be calculated based on the portion of the school year completed after starting covered employment. Provided, however, that the beneficiary of a deceased member may elect to have membership service credit calculated pursuant to section (1) of this rule if such beneficiary is eligible or would become eligible for benefits pursuant to section 169.070.3(2) or 169.075, RSMo. In no event will benefit payments commence prior to July 1 if the member is allowed one (1) year of membership service credit. AUTHORITY: section 169.020, RSMo Supp. 2010.* Original rule filed Dec. 19, 1975, effective Jan. 1, 1976. Amended: Filed Aug. 14, 1979, effective Nov. 15, 1979. Amended: Filed Sept. 11, 1981, effective Dec. 11, 1981. Emergency amendment filed Sept. 1, 1982, effective Sept. 11, 1982, expired Dec. 30, 1982. Amended: Filed Jan. 17, 1986, effective June 12, 1986. Emergency amendment filed Sept. 10, 1987, effective Sept. 20, 1987, expired Jan. 18, 1988. Amended: Filed Sept. 10, 1987, effective Jan. 29, 1988. Emergency amendment filed Aug. 24, 1988, effective Sept. 3, 1988, expired Jan. 1, 1989. Amended: Filed Aug. 24, 1988, effective Dec. 29, 1988. Amended: Filed Aug. 30, 1990, effective Dec. 31, 1990. Amended: Filed Sept. 25, 1991, effective March 9, 1992. Emergency amendment filed Aug. 23, 1993, effective Sept. 2, 1993, expired Dec. 30, 1993. Amended: Filed Aug. 23, 1993, effective Jan. 31, 1994. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 29, 1993, effective Nov. 8, 1993, expired March 7, 1994. Amended: Filed Oct. 29, 1993, effective May 9, 1994. Amended: Filed Dec. 22, 1993, effective July 10, 1994. Amended: Filed June 15, 1994, effective Nov. 30, 1994. Amended: Filed Aug. 4, 1994, effective Feb. 26, 1995. Amended: Filed June 14, 1995, effective Dec. 30, 1995. Amended: Filed June 14, 1996, effective Dec. 30, 1996. Amended: Filed Aug. 15, 1996, effective Feb. 28, 1997. Amended: Filed Oct. 24, 1996, effective July 1, 1997. Rescinded and readopted: Filed June 23, 1998, effective Jan. 30, 1999. Amended: Filed Aug. 9, 1999, effective Feb. 29, 2000. Amended: Filed Sept. 1, 2005, effective Feb. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed July 20, 2010, effective Jan. 30, 2011. Amended: Filed Dec. 15, 2010, effective June 30, 2011. *Original authority: 169.020, RSMo 1945, amended 1951, 1953, 1967, 1973, 1983, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2009.