Active Members

Membership FAQs

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.

3. What are membership tiers and how do I know which one I am in?

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. What does it mean to be vested?

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. What happens if I leave teaching before I have five years of service credit?

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.

If you don't withdraw your contributions and interest earned, you can keep your NYSTRS membership active by working the equivalent of 20 full-time days in a school year for a participating NYSTRS employer(s) every seven years.

6. 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 with a MyNYSTRS account.    

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.