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.

For specific steps to take and forms to complete, visit the Line of Duty Injury section of the UFT website.

The DOE’s Comprehensive Injury/Accident Report, including a description of the accident/incident and witness statements, must be filled out in a timely fashion. You can get a copy from your school secretary or download it from the UFT website. You are also advised to fill out the online UFT Incident Report on the UFT website. UFT-represented employees are no longer required to complete the OP 200 legal form as part of the Line of Duty Injury application process.

If you miss the deadline because you are hurt or have other extenuating circumstances, report it as soon as possible and apply for the Line of Duty Injury on SOLAS. Speak to your UFT chapter leader or district representative if you think there may be a problem.

On rare occasions, the DOE will request you to come in for a medical evaluation. Unless you hear from them, there is no need for you to contact them. 

No. They may designate someone else if they choose.

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.

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.