Can I purchase creditable service earned in another Massachusetts public retirement system?

If you were a member of another retirement system subject to the provisions of Chapter 32 of the General Laws, and you withdrew your retirement funds, it is possible to buy back your prior creditable service. The Retirement Office will verify your prior service, then calculate the amount of your buyback. You must repay the amount withdrawn, plus interest to the date of repayment. You may complete a buy back as a lump sum payment or a payment plan up to the number of years you wish to buy back, but not more than five years.

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1. Is membership mandatory for employees of the member units?
2. How much do members contribute to the Retirement System?
3. Does a member's contribution to the Retirement System earn interest? If so, how is the interest calculated?
4. Are employee contributions used to fund the administrative expenses of the Retirement System?
5. What does it mean to be vested?
6. When does vesting occur?
7. When is retirement an option?
8. What is the retirement allowance based on? How is it calculated?
9. Can I purchase creditable service earned in another Massachusetts public retirement system?
10. Will prior creditable service affect my membership date or contribution rate in Reading's Retirement System?
11. If I was a temporary employee, may I apply that time towards my retirement creditable service?
12. How is creditable service achieved?
13. Is regular compensation the same as total compensation?
14. What are the group classifications within the Retirement System?
15. Does my participation in the 457 deferred compensation plan affect my Reading retirement benefit in any way?
16. If I leave my job, what happens to my contribution?
17. If I leave my job and decide to withdraw my contributions will I receive all my interest?
18. Is there any time limit after your termination for requesting a refund of your contributions?
19. Can a member who is vested and who terminates employment still be eligible for a refund?
20. If I terminate my employment and leave my money in the retirement system, can I retire at a later date?
21. Can a member withdraw or borrow money from his or her account in the retirement system with resigning or retiring?
22. What are the tax consequences if I take a refund of my retirement contributions?
23. If I die before retirement, what happens to my money?