If you are an appointed teacher, the box may be blank because you have not filed an enrollment application or (if you have) because your application is still being processed. If you are not an appointed teacher and have not filed an enrollment application with the Teachers’ Retirement System, the box is blank because you are not yet a TRS member; you must file an enrollment application to join TRS.

Yes, the type of pension plan that covers UFT members is called a defined benefit plan because the amount of your annual pension payments is defined by law and guaranteed by the state government for as long as you live.

Yes, if they are earned during the year(s) that are included in calculating your final average salary, although certain caps may apply. The UFT won this important benefit in a landmark lawsuit against the city.

No. They may designate someone else if they choose.

You must notify your principal and submit a Comprehensive Injury Report within 24 hours of any accident or injury on school grounds or while on school business. The only exception is if you are unable to do so because of your injury or other reasonable grounds. If you can’t do it yourself, ask your UFT chapter leader or another designee to report your injury.  If you have been assaulted or injured as the result of a safety incident, also notify the UFT Health and Safety Department by filing an online Safety/Discipline Report. Make sure to contact your school to inform them of specific dates that you will be absent due to an injury in the line of duty (ILOD).

Leaves for line-of-duty injuries must now be requested via the Department of Education's Self-Service Online Leave of Absence System (SOLAS). SOLAS replaces the old forms, OP 198 and OP 407. You can view more information on SOLAS and how to use it here. The dates are inclusive only for the actual days one is out, so you should request line-of-duty-injury status (LODI) from the day of your first absence to the date that your doctor says you can return to work, which would be the date of last absence.

For a thorough description of the steps to take and forms to complete, visit the Injury in the Line of Duty section of the UFT website.

That depends on how badly you are injured. If you anticipate being out of work for 10 days or less, your superintendent can approve your request for ILOD (Injury in the Line Of Duty) status upon receipt of your documentation. An ILOD claim cannot be officially approved until HR Connect receives all ILOD documentation from you and/or your school. But if you will be absent for more than 10 days, you must request an examination by calling the medical bureau at: (718)935-2731.

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. If you miss the deadline because you are hurt or have other reasonable grounds, report as soon as possible. Speak to your UFT chapter leader or district representative if you think there may be a problem.

For a thorough description of the steps to take and forms to complete, visit the Injury in the Line of Duty section of the UFT website. As of the 2023 DOE-UFT contract, the OP200 form is no longer required. 

The following forms are available from your school secretary or via the UFT website:

• Comprehensive Injury/Accident Report, including description of accident/incident, witness statements, etc.; must be filled out by end of the school day or within 24 hours.
• Leaves for line-of-duty injuries must now be requested via the Department of Education's Self-Service Online Leave of Absence System (SOLAS). SOLAS replaces the old forms, OP 198 and OP 407. You can view more information on SOLAS and how to use SOLAS here. You should request line-of-duty-injury status (LODI) from the day of your first absence to the date that your doctor says you can return to work.
• There is also a UFT Incident Report, which can be filled out online. Inform your chapter leader as soon as possible.

That depends on your job. If you are an appointed teacher, paraprofessional 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 (formally referred to as a QPP or Qualified Pension Plan) begin as of your appointment date. You should complete a TRS enrollment application as soon as possible. For others, joining a retirement system may be optional. Most others, including nurses, therapists, and substitute teachers as well as other part-timers, may join the Board of Education Retirement System, or BERS. Get more information at www.nycbers.org; applications are available at your UFT borough office or at BERS, 65 Court St., Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Yes. The Paraprofessional Bill was signed by the Governor on Oct. 29, 2021, and paraprofessionals in the following titles are now automatically members of TRS:  Auxiliary Trainer; Bilingual Professional Assistant; Educational Assistant; Educational Associate; and Teacher Aide.

• The law applies to paraprofessionals hired on or after October 29, 2021, as well as paraprofessionals who are already working in one of the titles.
• Eligible paraprofessionals do not need to take any action; TRS will contact them about their membership.
• Paraprofessionals already in TRS are not affected by this bill since they are already enrolled.
• Substitute Paraprofessionals are not covered by this bill since they are members of BERS, not TRS.