There is no limit on the number of years of prior service credit you can purchase. However, you can't receive more than one year of credit for any given school year, and there may be minimum service requirements in a given year. You must complete at...

The cost of purchasing service is based on your tier in the pension system. You may be eligible to pay in a lump sum, through payroll deductions, or through a TDA transfer. TRS will give you a Cost Letter, which explains the options, the amount of...

There are forms for designating beneficiaries. New members receive a “Designation of QPP (Qualified Pension Plan) Beneficiary Form” with their enrollment application and should file both forms together. In-service members may change their beneficiary...

That depends on when you joined the retirement system. Your contribution rate is indicated on your Quarterly Account Statement from TRS or you can call a pension consultant at your UFT borough office. In any case, you will pay a percentage of your...

If you are an appointed teacher, the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) will send you a welcome letter explaining the online enrollment procedure. If you are a full-time paraprofessional, you must request an enrollment application directly from TRS at...

Substitutes and per diem teachers cannot join the Teachers’ Retirement System, but they may be eligible for pension coverage with the Board of Education Retirement System (BERS). Contact BERS at 65 Court Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or call 929...

Yes, membership in the Teachers’ Retirement System is available — but optional — for paraprofessionals. You may enroll at any time, but your decision is irrevocable. Your membership would begin as of the date that TRS receives your enrollment form...

Not necessarily. Charter schools each decide what retirement benefits they will offer. They do not automatically provide pension coverage through the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System. However, they may opt to do so.

That depends on your job. If you are an appointed teacher or other pedagogue in a city public school, you automatically become a member of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), which provides your pension. Your contributions to your pension plan...

You must report the accident or incident to the principal or designee before the close of business on the day of the injury but no later than 24 hours after the incident. If you can’t report an injury the chapter leader or designee can do it for you...