All TRS and BERS members are now considered vested after they have completed five years of service in the pension system. Previously, the requirement was 10 years for all Tier 6 members as well as for UFT-affiliated Tier 4 members who joined TRS after Dec. 10, 2009.

As a result of this change, several thousand more UFT members are now vested, meaning they qualify for a pension — a guaranteed lifetime annuity of regular payment.