Passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Healey on August 8, 2024, Chapter 178 of the Acts of 2024, commonly referred to as The HERO Act, removes the 180-day statutory deadline for purchasing military service. It institutes a deadline of within a year of vesting in the retirement system, effectively 11 years of creditable service. It also creates a one-time, one-year grace period for anyone who has not purchased their military service, giving them the opportunity to do so.
If you are a veteran and have already completed your military service purchase, you do not need to take any action.
If you have NOT entered into an agreement, and you have completed more than 11 years of creditable service, you have a one-time grace period to do so until August 8, 2025. This date reflects one year after Governor Healey signed the HERO Act. Contact the retirement board to take action.
If you have NOT entered into an agreement, and you have completed less than 11 years of creditable service, you have until the later of the two following events to do so: you complete your 11th year of creditable service or August 8, 2025, which reflects one year after the effective date of the HERO Act. Contact the retirement board to take action.
If you have already entered into an agreement, but have not completed the purchase, you have until the later of the two following events to come to terms with the retirement board on the purchase: you complete your 11th year of creditable service or August 8, 2025, which reflects one year after the effective date of the HERO Act. These terms could be a payment plan or a lump sum payment. In either case, some type of payment will be required either by the end of your 11th year of creditable service or August 8, 2025, whichever is later. Contact the retirement board to take action.