Disregarding service in governmental plan after 6 months absence

[Guest Patti]

Assuming state law allows, can a government defined benefit plan disregard all service for vesting if a participant leaves before becoming vested (i.e. reaching retirement age) and is gone for just 6 months?

[Everett Moreland]

Yes, although vesting probably occurs before retirement age, such as after 5 years of participation.