If you were employed by a public employer within New York State before you became a member of TRS, you may be eligible to receive credit for that prior service. TRS will need to contact your former employer to verify your request for prior service credit.

If you are a Tier III, IV, or VI member, there’s a cost to obtain credit for any eligible prior service. If you are a Tier II member, no purchase is required; credit is granted after the service is verified by your former employer. If you are a Tier I member, you may be able to purchase outside teaching service credit for teaching or pedagogical supervisory service in a school or college not maintained by the City of New York.

For more information, please see How can I request prior service credit? FAQ under the Payment for Credit tab.