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Serving New York Educators Since 1921

Section 12: Prior Service 

Introduction |  Tier 1 Eligibility |  Tier 2 Eligibility  
Tiers 3, 4 & 5 Eligibility  | Tiers 3, 4 & 5 Cost | Table of Contents 

Introduction

Members of NYSTRS may claim prior service and eventually receive additional credit under certain conditions.

Prior service is teaching which was rendered prior to one's latest date of membership and must be claimed before membership terminates. Members may receive credit for NYS public and teaching service, including NYC, if such service was credited or would have been creditable in any NYS or NYC public retirement system at the time the service was rendered. Crediting of prior service does not change a member's tier.

Under no circumstance can members joining after April 24, 1962 obtain prior service credit if they are receiving, or are entitled to receive, a benefit from another public retirement system on such service.

Employers are often requested to complete a Prior Service Verification (PRS-3) form to verify teaching rendered by a member. Please ensure that the form is completely and accurately filled in since it will usually result in additional credit for the member.

Members claiming prior service that was once credited to any NYS public retirement system may elect to have their former membership date reinstated. For more information regarding membership reinstatement, see Section 1: Membership.

PRIOR SERVICE SHOULD BE VERIFIED AS EARLY IN ONE'S MEMBERSHIP AS POSSIBLE TO FACILITATE THE CREDITING OF THE SERVICE AND POSSIBLY ENHANCE THE DEATH BENEFIT AVAILABLE. Any questions pertaining to prior service can be directed to our Prior Service Unit at (800) 348-7298, Ext. 6030 (447-2900 if calling from the Albany area).

Tier 1 Eligibility

Membership must be active and the member must currently have credit for a minimum of two years of service to be eligible for credit as follows:

  1. NYS service with a public employer which was rendered prior to current date of membership.
  2. NYC service rendered with a public employer which was never credited in the New York City Teachers' Retirement System (NYCTRS).
  3. NYCTRS, NYCERS or NYSERS membership service.
  4. Out-of-state public school teaching service not in excess of 10 years and not to exceed credited NYS service.
  5. CETA Prior Service — refer to Section 10: CETA Service.

Effective July 1, 1988, prior service is credited without cost to the member. There is no cost to the employer.

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Tier 2 Eligibility

Membership must be active and the member must currently have credit for a minimum of two years of service to be eligible for credit as follows:

  1. NYS teaching service.
  2. NYS service rendered with a public employer.
  3. Former NYS public retirement system membership service in:
    1. NYS Teachers' Retirement System;
    2. NYC Teachers' Retirement System;
    3. NYS and Local Employees' Retirement System; or,
    4. NYC Employees' Retirement System.
  4. Chapter 639 of the Laws of 1997 allowed Tier 2 members to obtain credit for prior NYS public teaching service on the same basis as Tier 1 members.
  5. CETA Prior Service (refer to Section 10: CETA Service).

Effective July 1, 1988, prior service is credited without cost to the member. There is no cost to the employer.

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Tiers 3, 4 & 5 Eligibility

Membership must be active and the member must currently have credit for a minimum of two years of service to be eligible for credit as follows:

  1. NYS teaching service that is otherwise creditable.
  2. NYS service rendered with a public employer.
  3. Former NYS public retirement system membership service in:
    1. NYS Teachers' Retirement System;
    2. NYC Teachers' Retirement System;
    3. NYS and Local Employees' Retirement System;
    4. NYC Employees' Retirement System;
    5. NYC Board of Education Retirement System;
    6. NYS and Local Police and Firemen's Retirement System;
    7. NYC Police Pension Fund; or,
    8. NYC Fire Department Pension Fund.
  4. CETA Prior Service (refer to Section 10: CETA Service).

Out-of-state service is not allowable.

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Tiers 3, 4 & 5 Cost

Cost for Tier 3 members:

  • 3% of SALARY RECEIVED for all service except former Tier 3 membership service.
  • 3% of SALARY RECEIVED plus 5% interest for former Tier 3 membership service.

Cost for Tier 4 members: 3% of SALARY RECEIVED plus 5% interest.

Cost for Tier 5 members: 3.5% of SALARY RECEIVED plus 5% interest.

There is no employer cost for Tiers 3, 4 or 5 prior service.

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