# Validity period

The *validity period* of a SAFc is how long it is eligible for retirement before it automatically expires in the registry. SAFc and any SAFcA/SAFcE that are unbundled from it are valid for 24 months *after the initial SAFc's issuance (*i.e., all SAFcA and SAFcE inherit the expiration date from their parent SAFc).

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At the end of its validity period, a SAFc "expires" and can no longer be used.
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