FAQs

On this page, you can find answers to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) members have on the following topics:

• General Membership Information
• Service Credit
• Retirement Information
• Borrowing from Your Contributions

General Membership Information 

1.

If I teach full time, do I have to join NYSTRS?

You must join NYSTRS if you are employed under all of the following conditions: 

• As a teacher, teacher assistant, guidance counselor or educational administrator, AND 

• By a New York State (excluding New York City) public school district or BOCES, or by an eligible charter school which has opted to participate as an employer in NYSTRS, AND 

• Full-time every work day for the full day, as defined in the appropriate contract or job description, through the end of the school year.

You may join NYSTRS if you are employed in a New York State Community College or SUNY, where you may elect coverage by NYSTRS, the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Plan (TIAA-CREF).

2.

If I teach part time or substitute, am I eligible to join NYSTRS?

Yes. You may join if you are employed less than full time by any of the NYSTRS-participating employers.

Membership "tiers" refer to groups of members whose benefits are determined by different sections of the law and regulations. Your tier is determined by your date of membership; both are listed in your annual Benefit Profile.  There are four membership tiers:

• Tier 1:  For membership dates before 7/1/73;
• Tier 2:  For membership dates between 7/1/73 and 7/26/76;
• Tier 3:  For membership dates between 7/27/76 and 8/31/83; and,
• Tier 4:  For membership dates after 8/31/83.

4.

Vested is the status you attain when you have at least five years of New York State service credit, which makes you eligible for a retirement benefit at age 55.

5.  

If you leave teaching before you have five years of New York State service credit and do not intend to return to service, you should withdraw your member contributions and interest earned and cancel your membership. You will not receive your employer's contributions. Should you return to teaching at a later date, you may reinstate your former membership under your former tier.

Where can I access my personal NYSTRS account and benefit information?

All information regarding your membership can be found in your personal NYSTRS Benefit Profile, mailed to you annually. It gives you a summary of your membership status and a projection of your benefits, along with comprehensive explanations.  You can also view your personal information through our Web site's Secure Area.   

 7.

What should I do if I become disabled and can't continue to work?

There are many things to consider under such circumstances. Our publication If You Are No Longer Able to Work provides a comprehensive look at disability retirement, including eligibility, the filing process, benefits, and what to do if you become critically ill.

  8.

 I belong to two New York State public retirement systems. Can I transfer from one to the other?

Yes, but it may not be necessary. You can have membership in more than one New York State public retirement system and receive benefits from more than one system. However, if you are no longer working in employment reportable to one of the systems, you should contact both systems to discuss the pros and cons of transferring membership.

 9.

I originally joined NYSTRS, but when I became employed by SUNY I switched to TIAA/CREF, the optional retirement plan. My status in NYSTRS is now referred to as a "Discontinued Member." Am I eligible for any benefits from NYSTRS?

As a "Discontinued Member" of this System, you may qualify for a NYSTRS benefit, but it would be based on NYSTRS service only. Please contact us for further information. 

Back to Top 

Service Credit 

1.

How do I receive service credit?

You can earn NYSTRS service credit by working as a member for a participating employer. You may also transfer credit you accrued from another New York State public retirement system. In addition, you may receive credit for certain military service, prior service credit, or credit through a reinstated former membership.  Our publication You Deserve the Credit provides comprehensive information on this topic.

2.

Can I receive credit for teaching in another state? 

• Tier 1: You may receive credit, to a maximum of 10 years, for teaching before your current date of membership in the public schools and colleges of another state, provided you will not receive a benefit for that service from another state or the federal government. Out-of-state service that brings your total service above 35 years is excluded from the pension calculation.
• Tier 2: You may receive credit for out-of-state service only if it had been credited under a previous Tier 1 membership in NYSTRS.
• Tiers 3 and 4: You cannot receive credit for service in another state.

3.

If I earn extra salary during the school year, or for teaching summer school, do I earn more service credit?

If you earn a full year of credit for your regular employment, you cannot increase your service credit. One year of credit is the most that you can receive in a school year (July 1 through June 30). 

4.

Can I receive credit for working at a charter school?

You may receive service credit for teaching at a charter school only if the charter school is a participating NYSTRS employer. To become a participating employer, a charter school must apply and be accepted by NYSTRS. Once it has become a participating NYSTRS employer, the school may not terminate its affiliation with the System. Not every charter school elects to be a NYSTRS-participating employer. If you are unsure about a particular school, please check our participating charter schools page. If a charter school becomes a participating NYSTRS employer after it has opened, employees of the school (as opposed to employees of the management company that runs the school) may receive credit for work performed prior to it becoming a participating NYSTRS member, provided the System receives all applicable employer and employee contributions.

5.

Can I receive credit for private school teaching or working for the federal government?

No. There is no provision in the law that allows a NYSTRS member to receive credit for such employment.

 Back to Top

Retirement Information

1.

Does retirement begin automatically when I stop working?

No. You must file a retirement application with the System.  Your effective date of retirement can be the same day you file, but you cannot apply any sooner than 90 days prior to your retirement date.

2.

How is my retirement benefit paid?

Your retirement benefit is paid in 12 monthly payments, directly deposited into your checking or savings account on the last business day of each month.

3.

Does the final average salary (FAS) used in calculating my retirement benefit have to be the average of my last three years?

No. Although in most cases it is the last three years, it will be the average of the highest three consecutive years whenever they occurred in your salary history.

4.

If I am a Tier 1 member, can I retire before age 55?

If you are a Tier 1 member with 35 years of service credit, you can retire at any age.  The two additional years of credit you receive under the Article 19 Benefit Enhancement can count toward the 35-year total.

5.

If I am a Tier 2, 3, or 4 member, can I retire at age 55 without a reduction to my pension, or do I have to wait until I am age 62?

If you are a Tier 2, 3, or 4 member who is at least age 55, you can retire without a pension reduction as long as you have 30 years of service credit.  If you have less than 30 years of service credit when you retire, your pension will be reduced unless you are at least age 62.

6.

Does a local retirement incentive payment or payment for unused leave affect my retirement benefit?

If you are a Tier 1 member whose date of membership precedes June 17, 1971, you are eligible for a five-year final average salary (FAS) calculation that can include such payments.  In such a case, NYSTRS will automatically use whichever FAS (the five-year FAS or the standard three-year FAS) results in a higher pension calculation.

7.

What is the difference between the date of resignation I provided my employer and my date of retirement with NYSTRS?

For NYSTRS purposes, the effective date of retirement that you enter on your retirement application must be at least one day beyond the last date you earned salary under contract. For example, if you last earn salary under contract on June 30, the earliest effective date of retirement you could select is July 1.

8.

I stopped working and was eligible to collect my retirement benefits three years ago. If I file now, will I receive retroactive payments?

No.  Retirement benefits are not retroactive.  If you are not working in New York State public employment, you may collect your pension even if you are in private, out-of-state, or federal employment.

9.

Can I withdraw my retirement application once it's filed?

Yes.  If you file for service retirement, you may withdraw your retirement application -- or change your retirement date -- by notifying NYSTRS with a signed request within 14 days after your effective date of retirement.  If you file for disability retirement, you may withdraw your retirement application by filing a signed request any time before the latter of: a) the date the Retirement Board acts upon the application, or b) the date the retirement becomes effective. If the letter is sent to NYSTRS by Certified Mail or Registered Mail, it will be considered received on the date it was postmarked.

Your employer's policy for withdrawing a retirement application or changing a date of retirement may differ from NYSTRS'. Some employers, for example, may consider a letter of resignation or retirement irrevocable. You should consult with your employer's Human Resources or Business office, or with a representative of your bargaining unit, to determine the local policy on filing for retirement.

10.

After I retire, can I return to teaching in a New York State public school?

After you retire, you may return to teaching in a New York State public school and earn a limited amount of income within a calendar year without affecting your pension. Please see our Retired Member's Handbook for more information.

Back to Top

Borrowing From Your Contributions

1.

Can I borrow from my retirement funds?

You may borrow up to 75% of  your contributions and interest, but you cannot borrow from the contributions made by your employer. Accordingly, you may not borrow if you have never made member contributions. Tier 3 and 4 members reinstated to Tier 1 or 2 forfeit their right to take a NYSTRS loan.

2.

What are the eligibility requirements for taking a NYSTRS loan?

• You must have one year of service credit.
• You cannot have an existing loan more than two months delinquent or in default.
• Under Tiers 1 and 2, you must have at least $400 in your Annuity Savings Fund (ASF), and may take one loan every six months.
• Under Tiers 3 and 4, you must have at least $1,334 in your Required Contributions Fund, and you may take one loan every 12 months.

3.

How can I find out what amount I can borrow and what my monthly payments will be?

You can call NYSTRS at 800-348-7298, Ext. 6250.

4.

How long will it take to get a loan check after I file a loan application?

Currently, it takes approximately three weeks to process a valid loan application. The payment will be mailed once the processing is complete.

Back to Top