The Service Definition Screen is used to define the basic parameters for a specific definition of service, including earliest eligibility and latest accrual dates. It is on this screen where you also indicate if this service is considered the Plan's Credited, Vesting, or Participation Service.

• Description: space to provide a brief description of the Service Definition.
• Eligibility Formula: enter the formula that defines the group that is eligible to accrue service under this Service Definition. If all are eligible, leave the box blank. Actual service eligibility is defined by the Eligibility Provisions below.
• Earliest Eligibility/Acquisition Date: if there is a specific date that limits when service can begin to accrue, enter such date in this box.
• Latest Accrual/Freeze Date: if service can not accrue past a certain date, enter such date in this box. This is where you would enter the date of a plan freeze that stops service accrual.
• Service Maximum: enter the service maximum for this definition. If there is no service maximum, check the None box.
  
  This service maximum will be reflected in the export of this item. If the amount shown on export should not reflect this maximum, check the None box and use a Formula Derived Item to apply the maximum.
  
  Note that you should not enter a service maximum here if this Service Definition is used in a Function of Service Definition and that definition gives preference to future service. If this is done, the Function of Service Definition will revert to one which gives preference to past service.
• Bank Service Maximum: use this to limit the amount of service that can be earned using an hours bank. View more information on the Reported Amount Bank Rules screen.
• Only accrue service while: use this option when service accrual depends upon Reported Amounts and their effective periods (earliest Effective Date to latest Stop Date). Please note that only Reported Amounts with an Amount Type of Location Code will be displayed in the drop-down list.
  
  With this option, service will accrue based upon the conditions specified. Please note that if multiple Reported Amount values must be specified (for example group code equal to 1 or 2), enter each value specified separated by a semi colon.
  
  
  • Treat earliest amount as occurring on hire date: when this box is checked, the Reported Amount with the earliest Effective Date will be assumed to have been in effect on a person's hire date.
• Override service accrual start date with the Forumla Derived Item: select a Formula Derived Item that will be used to override the service start date.
• Service dates can extend beyond the freeze date if referenced by Average Earnings Provisions or Account Transactions: allows service to continue past the Latest Accrual Date so that it may be used to calculate Average Earnings or Account Transactions.
• View item in QuickCalc: this function is currently not available.
• Eligibility Provisions (age/service): this area is used to define the age, service and points requirements that must be met before service may accrue under the Service Definition (i.e., the Eligibility Provision). Multiple Eligibility Provisions may be needed if the eligibility requirements for this Service Definition have varied through time by date.
  
  Use the "+" and "-" buttons to add and delete Eligibility Provisions, respectively. Once an item is added, double click on it to access the Service Eligibility screen. Here, you enter the specific requirements.
• Service Indicator: check the appropriate box to indicate if a given Service Definition represents the plan document's definition of Participation Service, Credited Service, or Vesting Service. Note that there can only be one Service Definition identified per type for a Plan Document. Leave all boxes unchecked if the Service Definition does not represent any of these types of service. These checkboxes will dictate what Service Definition to reference when using operands such as DOP, CSD, or VSD. Additionally, when/if these three services are displayed in valuation extract files and on the portal, these checkboxes indicate which Service Definition(s) to reference.
• Val Extract: if unghosted, click the Val Extract button and fill out the resulting screen to indicate if you wish to include this Service Definition in the valuation extract file.
  
  To include this field in the extract, select the column it should be displayed in and enter the label you wish to use in the Column Header box. Up to 20 items are possible, including selected Formula Derived Items and Account Definitions. If the item does not need to be included, make sure no column is selected here.
  
  Note that this option is unavailable and the blue Val Extract button will be grayed out if any of the three Service Indicators are checked (i.e., Participation Service, Credited Service, or Vesting Service). In this case, the Service Definition is automatically included in the valuation extract file under the column for the type of service indicated.

• Service Provision