New York City Department of Education (DOE)

Appointed teachers and pedagogues in New York City’s public schools automatically become TRS members as of their appointment date. They do not need to submit an enrollment request.

Paraprofessionals in New York City public schools automatically become members of TRS if they are in one of the following titles: Auxiliary Trainer; Bilingual Professional Assistant; Educational Assistant; Educational Associate; or Teacher Aide. Newly hired paraprofessionals become TRS members as of their appointment date and do not need to submit an enrollment request. (Before October 29, 2021, TRS membership was optional for paraprofessionals.)

Other job titles in New York City’s public schools may have the option of joining TRS if they are represented by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). They may enroll at any time, and their membership date would begin on the day that TRS receives their enrollment or transfer request. This is effective as of December 11, 2024 with Chapter 551 of the Laws of 2024.

City University of New York (CUNY)

Full-time teachers must join either TRS or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), which is currently offered by the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA). If they do not join the ORP within 30 days of their CUNY appointment, they would automatically become TRS members. Their membership would be effective as of their appointment date. They do not need to submit an enrollment request.

Adjunct instructors have the option of joining TRS. They may enroll at any time, and their membership would begin on the day that TRS receives their enrollment request.

Participating New York City Charter Schools

Appointed teachers and pedagogues in participating Charter Schools automatically become TRS members as of their appointment date. They do not need to submit an enrollment request.

Paraprofessionals automatically become members of TRS if they are in one of the following titles: Auxiliary Trainer; Bilingual Professional Assistant; Educational Assistant; Educational Associate; or Teacher Aide. Newly hired paraprofessionals become TRS members as of their appointment date and do not need to submit an enrollment request. (Before October 29, 2021, TRS membership was optional for paraprofessionals.)