Forms

Application for Membership (NET-2)

File the NET-2 when you first join NYSTRS to provide us with vital information, including your address, personal email, phone number and beneficiary designation. Be sure to have your employer complete Part 2 of the application.

Election to Reinstate (RIS-1)

If you had a previous membership with NYSTRS or any other New York State public retirement system, use the RIS-1 to reinstate to your earliest date of membership. We encourage you to discuss your options prior to filing by calling us at 800-348-7298, ext. 6250. 

If you have an active membership in another retirement system in New York state and are no longer working in service reportable to that system, you may be eligible to transfer that membership to NYSTRS. Contact the system you are leaving to obtain the form for initiating a membership transfer.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

Service Retirement Application (RET-54)

You must file a RET-54 to receive a service retirement benefit from NYSTRS. Save time and file online in MyNYSTRS. You can file up until your effective date of retirement, but no sooner than 90 days before. The RET-54 includes the election of a benefit payment option, designation of a beneficiary for that option (if applicable), direct deposit authorization and tax withholding certificate.

Election of Retirement Benefit (RET-54.6)

Use the RET-54.6 to change the benefit payment option and/or beneficiary you selected when filing for retirement. You can also file your election online in MyNYSTRS. NYSTRS must receive this form within 30 days of your retirement date. Doing so ensures that your benefit is processed on time and your payments begin as soon as you are eligible.

Disability Retirement Application Package (RET-54.1; RET-54.1B; RET-54.3; FIN-149.1; GRE-54)

You can complete the disability retirement application online in MyNYSTRS. The online application does not have to be notarized and is the fastest way to file. Our If You Are No Longer Able to Work publication provides information to help with disability retirement decisions. Should you need additional copies of the Medical Report (RET-54.3), print pages 9-10 of this PDF.

Proof of Date of Birth (RET-45)

NYSTRS may notify you that we require proof of your (or your beneficiary’s) date of birth. In such cases, please complete this form and send it to NYSTRS along with acceptable proof as described on the form. 

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

Service Retirement Estimate Request (EST-35.1)

Use this form to receive a mailed estimate of your retirement benefits. You can also use the online pension estimator in MyNYSTRS using various dates of retirement and earnings projections. While an estimate will assist with your retirement planning, make sure you schedule a benefits consultation before you file for retirement.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

Distribution Election for ASF (REF-30)

Use the REF-30 if you are a Tier 1 or 2 member with an Annuity Savings Fund and wish to withdraw it at retirement. 

Taxable Amount (Only) Request for Direct Rollover (REF-30.2)

Use the REF-30.2 if you are looking to roll over all or a portion of the taxable amount from your Annuity Savings Fund. You’ll need to Complete Section 1 and then provide the form to the financial institution receiving the rollover to complete Section 2. If the receiving financial institution requires you to complete additional forms, they should not be forwarded to the Retirement System.

If filed, you must also submit a completed REF-30.

After-Tax Contributions Amount (Only) Request for Direct Rollover (REF-30.3)

Use the REF-30.3 if you are looking to roll over all or a portion of the after-tax contributions amount from your Annuity Savings Fund. You’ll need to Complete Section 1 and then provide the form to the financial institution receiving the rollover to complete Section 2. If the receiving financial institution requires you to complete additional forms, those forms should not be forwarded to NYSTRS.

If filed, you must also submit a completed REF-30.

Member Name/Address Change (GRE-50)

Use the GRE-50 to update your name, address and/or email address. Or update your address and/or email address in MyNYSTRS.

Seasonal Address Form (RET-2) 

Use the RET-2 if you’re retired and spend part of the year at a second address.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

Update your death benefit or benefit option beneficiary in MyNYSTRS.

Designation of Beneficiary for In-Service or Post-Retirement Paragraph 2 Death Benefit (NET-11.4)

Use the NET-11.4 to designate a beneficiary for your death benefit. In some circumstances, you may wish to name a trust – either a living (inter vivos) or testamentary trust – as your beneficiary. For questions about designating a trust, the see Trust FAQs page.

Designation of Beneficiary for Retirees Electing a Guarantee Option (RMS-5.3)

Use the RMS-5.3 to designate a beneficiary when you elect a guarantee payment option.

Designation of Beneficiary for Retirees Electing a Lump Sum Option (RMS-5)

Use the RMS-5 to designate a beneficiary when you elect a lump sum option.

Members may receive credit for New York state public and teaching service, including in New York City, that was rendered prior to their current date of membership with NYSTRS. To qualify, the service must have been credited to or creditable in a New York state or New York City public retirement system at the time the service was rendered. Read more about credit for prior service in the Active Members’ Handbook.

Prior Service Claim (PRS-2)

You can submit a claim for any type of New York state or New York City prior teaching or public service in MyNYSTRS. Alternatively, you may file a PRS-2 to claim prior service. If your service was not already reported to NYSTRS, you may also need to submit one or more of the verification forms below.

Verification of NYS Teaching (PRS-3)

Use the PRS-3 to verify prior public teaching service in New York state (outside NYC).

Verification of Uncredited New York City Department of Education Teaching (PRS-3.2)

Use the PRS-3.2 to verify prior public teaching service in New York City.

Verification of Other NYS Public Employment (PRS-3.5)

Use the PRS 3.5 to verify other New York state or New York City public service before joining NYSTRS.

Rollover Acceptance Letter (MES-1)

Provide the MES-1 letter to your roll over company to verify that NYSTRS can accept roll over monies from an acceptable plan for the purchase of prior service.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

Rollover/Direct Transfer Certification (MES-3)

If you are purchasing service credit – including prior service, military service or a tier reinstatement – by rolling over pre-tax contributions from another qualified plan, an MES-3 must be completed and returned to NYSTRS along with your Cost Submittal form within 10 business days of initiating the rollover. A Cost Submittal form will be sent to you once your prior service has been verified by NYSTRS. Review the fact sheet on purchasing service credit with rollover monies for important information on this topic.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

NYC Subsequent Service Under Chapter 352 of the Laws of 2002 (MAC-79)

Use the MAC-79 to claim credit for New York City teaching service if that service was rendered before July 1, 1990, but after your current date of membership in NYSTRS, and you were not able to join the NYC Teachers’ or NYC Board of Education Retirement Systems.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

Claim for Service Credit Under Chapter 675 of the Laws of 2006 (MAC-80)

Use the MAC-80 to claim credit for membership service earned in another New York state public retirement system after your NYSTRS date of membership once your membership in the other system has ceased and is no longer eligible for a direct transfer.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

Subsequent Service Claim for Discontinued Members (For Service Rendered 12/1/91 – 6/30/02) (MAC-4)

If you are a “discontinued” member of NYSTRS and you are currently working at SUNY or a community college and contributing to the Optional Retirement Program (ORP or TIAA-CREF), use the MAC-4 to claim credit for teaching service with a New York state public school or college. Under Chapter 351 of the Laws of 2002, this service must have been rendered between Dec. 1, 1991 and June 30, 2002.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

You can update your direct deposit information in MyNYSTRS.

Direct Deposit Authorization Agreement (GRE-54)

Use the GRE-54 to update the bank account on file for the direct deposit of your NYSTRS benefit. 

Certification of Trust for Direct Deposit (LEG-2)

Submit a LEG-2 if you want to deposit your pension benefit to a bank account titled to a trust. For questions about designating a trust, the see Trust FAQs page.

You can update your tax withholdings online in MyNYSTRS.

W-4P Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments (FIN-149.1)

Use the FIN-149.1 to manage tax withholdings from your pension.

Reporting Your New York State Public Employment Earnings (RMS-64.1)

Use the RMS-64.1 to report public employment earnings in retirement. You can report your earnings online in MyNYSTRS. Learn more about reporting your earnings on the Retirees/Working in Retirement page. 

You can apply for a loan in MyNYSTRS. You can estimate loans in MyNYSTRS to see how different repayment terms or monthly payment amounts affect the loan.

Loan Application (LON-26)

For important information on borrowing from your contributions, refer to our video Loan Truths... And Consequences and our loan taxability tutorial.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

Application for Withdrawal From Membership (REF-7A)

Use the REF-7A to apply for a withdrawal of membership from NYSTRS. For information on this topic, consult the membership withdrawal fact sheet.

Taxable Amount (Only) Request for Direct Rollover (REF-30.2)

Use the REF-30.2 if you are looking to roll over all or a portion of the taxable amount of your membership withdrawal. You’ll need to Complete Section 1 and then provide the form to the financial institution receiving the rollover to complete Section 2. If the receiving financial institution requires you to complete additional forms, they should not be forwarded to the Retirement System.

If filed, you must also submit a completed REF-7A.

After-Tax Contributions Amount (Only) Request for Direct Rollover (REF-30.3)

Use the REF-30.3 if you are looking to roll over all or a portion of the after-tax contributions amount of your membership withdrawal. You’ll need to Complete Section 1 and then provide the form to the financial institution receiving the rollover to complete Section 2. If the receiving financial institution requires you to complete additional forms, they should not be forwarded to the Retirement System.

If filed, you must also submit a completed REF-7A.

Request for Direct Transfer of Membership (TRF-3)

Use the TRF-3 if you have an active membership in another New York state public retirement system, you are no longer working in a NYSTRS position, and would like to transfer your NYSTRS membership to the other retirement system. You should contact both systems to discuss this option before taking action.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.

Certification of Trust for Beneficiary Designations (LEG-1)

Submit a LEG-1 to designate a trust as the beneficiary of a death benefit, lump sum option selected at retirement, or other lump sum payment by the System.

Certification of Trust for Direct Deposit (LEG-2)

Submit a LEG-2 if you want to deposit your pension benefit to a bank account titled to a trust. For questions about designating a trust, the see Trust FAQs page.

Special Durable Power of Attorney Form (POA)

Use this special POA to name an agent to act on your behalf with respect to your retirement benefit transactions at NYSTRS. Refer to our Power of Attorney FAQs for answers to many common questions.

Domestic Relations Order Form

Use our convenient online form to draft a Domestic Relations Order (DRO). To learn about DROs, review Domestic Relations Orders and a Member’s Retirement Benefit – A Guide to DROs and NYSTRS Benefits.

Consent for New York Jurisdiction and Release

If a certified out-of-state DRO is not registered in New York state, the participant must submit an original signed notarized consent form. By signing this consent, the participant agrees to treat the certified out-of-state DRO as a New York court order, authorize the System to make payments pursuant to the out-of-state DRO, release the System from any and all liability, and consent to any dispute regarding the out-of-state DRO be resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction in Albany, New York.

This form is not available for download. Request a form be mailed to you.