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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 4Pt. 3Ch. 3Art. 1.6§ 31497 Public Service Credit Restrictions

§ 31497 Public Service Credit Restrictions

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 31497 Public Service Credit Restrictions

Key Takeaways

  • •You can't get retirement credit for public service jobs you had before joining this plan, unless there's a special rule.
  • •If you're sick or hurt and get disability benefits from your job, it doesn't break your work record for retirement.
  • •Taking up to a year off without pay, or a leave your boss approves, won't mess up your retirement service time—but that unpaid time won't count toward your benefits.

Example

A teacher worked for a city job before becoming a teacher. Now they want retirement credit for that old city job.

They can't get extra retirement credit for the city job unless there's a special rule allowing it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 31497 Public Service Credit Restrictions

(a) Except as provided in Section 31498.3 and under reciprocal provisions of this article, a member who was in public service prior to becoming a member may not elect to receive credit in this retirement plan for that public service time, and shall not receive credit for that prior public service. (b) Absence from work or termination of employment while an eligible employee or disability beneficiary, as defined by a disability plan provided by the employer, shall not be considered as breaking the continuity of service. (c) For the purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 31497.3, an unpaid leave of absence of not to exceed one year, or a leave of absence for which an employee receives any benefit which has been approved by the employer, shall not be considered an interruption of service. However, the period of time of unpaid leave shall not be considered as service in calculating the benefits otherwise provided under this article. (Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1381, Sec. 1.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

disabilityretirementterminationemploymentbenefitsemployeeemployerfine

Related Statutes

  • § 31490 Public Service Credit Restrictions
  • § 31499.12 Member Contribution Refund Rules
  • § 31499.2 No General Contributions
  • § 31511.11 County Employee Retirement Plan
  • § 31511.3 Service Continuity Protection

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 31497.
View Official Source