No. Your contributions automatically continue into the next year. However, you may change your contribution rate on the Teachers' Retirement System website at www.trsnyc.org or by filing a hardcopy TDA Contribution Rate Change Form. BERS members may call 929-305-3800.

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 credit available for purchase and the cost.

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 least two years of credited service with the retirement system before you can receive credit for prior service.

New members receive a “Designation of QPP (Qualified Pension Plan) Beneficiary Form” with their TDA enrollment application and should file both forms together. Participants in the Tax Deferred Annuity Program should designate a beneficiary for their TDA funds by filing a “Designation of TDA Beneficiary Form.”

In-service members may change their beneficiary on the TRS website (www.trsnyc.org) at any time.There is one exception: If you have a trust on file or wish to designate a trust as beneficiary, you can’t make beneficiary changes online. You must instead submit a Designation of QPP Beneficiary Form, code EN6, and/or a Designation of TDA Beneficiary Form, code EN8. 

Members of the Board of Education Retirement System (BERS) can call 929-305-3800 or visit BERS for information on how to designate or update their beneficiaries.

See "Designating Your Beneficiaries" for more detailed information. 

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 salary and the employer will contribute the rest of the money needed to pay for your pension benefit.

If you are an appointed teacher, paraprofessional or other pedagogue in a city public school, the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) will send you a welcome letter explaining the online enrollment procedure. 

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, or you can call 929-305-3800.

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 929-305-3800 or your UFT borough office. When you are a regularly appointed teacher, you are eligible to enroll in and transfer your pension to the Teachers' Retirement System.

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.

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.

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.