(1) When military, U.S. government, federal volunteer, full-time Montana public employment, or other service is eligible to be purchased into a retirement system, the member is responsible for providing acceptable documentation to the board.

(2) The documents submitted by the member must be sufficient to prove to the board that the service is eligible to be purchased by the member.

(a) Documents used to prove military or federal volunteer service shall include:

(i) military service records verified by the appropriate branch of service;

(ii) peace corps service records verified by the appropriate federal service agency; or

(iii) national service position records verified by the corporation for national and community service.

(b) Documents used to prove U.S. government or Montana public employment shall include employer certification of the service and the compensation received.

(i) If employer-certified salary and employment documentation is not available from the employer, or if the member contests the certified documents, the member may petition the board to purchase the service based upon acceptable documentation listed in ARM 2.43.428.

(2) The board shall review the documents presented to determine whether the service qualifies.

(3) The MPERA will calculate the cost of purchasing military, federal volunteer service, or other full-time public service employment into the member's current system.

(4) The eligible member must have a letter of intent on file with the board to purchase all, or a specific portion of the service, into the member's account. The letter of intent must state whether payment for the service will be made in a lump sum or in installment payments. Installment payments will be subject to additional interest as determined by the board and computed over the payment period