This waiting period is the qualifying period, more commonly referred to as waiting time. You may purchase this time if you have at least 10 years of creditable service including prior service. Yes, if you are reemployed within five years of terminating your employment. Within one year of reemployment, you can redeposit the amount withdrawn plus interest to restore the service you forfeited. It is therefore possible to serve a qualifying time of less than six full months.
Purchase is voluntary.
Any election to purchase waiting periods applies to all periods. You do not pay any interest. For an estimate of the cost, please write to Member Counseling or call PERS Customer Service Center. You can make the purchase anytime within the 90 days prior to your effective retirement date. I left public employment some time ago and left my contributions in PERS but have not applied for my benefit yet.