You should first find employment in a TRS-eligible position. In addition, you must file with TRS either an Application for Restoration from Service Retirement (code GA1) or an Application for Voluntary Restoration from Disability Retirement (code DI20). The Application for Voluntary Restoration from Disability Retirement may be obtained by calling TRS at 1 (888) 8-NYC-TRS and speaking with one of our Member Services Representatives.

In this case, please write to TRS' Member Status Unit. You will need to provide documentation that verifies your service claim. Documentation should be on the official stationery of the agency you worked for, and should indicate the exact amount of service you performed, your title, and an annual breakdown of your salary history during this period. TRS will review the documentation, make any necessary revisions, and notify you of the resolution.

You should first find employment in a TRS-eligible position. In addition, you must file with TRS either an Application for Restoration from Service Retirement (code GA1) or an Application for Voluntary Restoration from Disability Retirement (code DI20). The Application for Voluntary Restoration from Disability Retirement may be obtained by calling TRS at 1 (888) 8-NYC-TRS and speaking with one of our Member Services Representatives.

The current interest rate on a QPP loan is 6%.

For all tiers, the interest rate on a TDA loan is equal to the annual rate of return that you would receive on TDA investments in the Fixed Return Fund. Therefore, for members serving in (or retired/resigned from) a UFT-covered title, the interest rate on TDA loans would be 7%; for other members, the interest rate would be 8.25%.

A $30 service charge is added to all TDA loans, as well as to QPP loans issued to Tier III, IV, and VI members.

While TRS cannot give you advice on which retirement plan to apply for, here are some factors to consider. If you are a Tier I member who is eligible for immediate payment of a retirement allowance or a Tier II, III, IV or VI member who is eligible for an unreduced service retirement allowance, you may want to consider applying for a service retirement; the benefits would be identical to those under an ordinary disability retirement, and you would not have the restrictions involved with a disability retirement. However, if you are eligible for an accident disability retirement, you may receive a higher benefit and more beneficial tax treatment by electing an accident disability retirement rather than a service retirement.

If you leave service after attaining vested rights under the QPP, you may withdraw your TDA Program funds or you may elect TDA Deferral status. If you leave service before attaining vested rights under the QPP, you may withdraw your TDA Program funds at any time. If you leave your funds with TRS, they would continue to accrue investment return for seven school years. However, if you withdraw your QPP funds, your TDA Program participation would automatically end, and TRS would distribute the value of your TDA or Roth account to you.

In order for TRS to promptly respond to your inquiry, you should have the following information available when you contact TRS, or include this information when you send us correspondence: your TRS membership number, a phone number at which you can be reached during business hours, copies of correspondence you are questioning, and documentation to support your claim. If you are visiting TRS, you should also bring a photo ID that includes a signature. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license, state-issued non-driver's license identification, passport, or school ID; unacceptable forms of identification include a credit card or store card with a photo, gym card, or a library card.

If a Tier II, III, IV, or VI member dies while in service and is credited with at least one year of service since last joining TRS, the member's designated beneficiary can apply to receive ordinary death benefits under the Qualified Pension Plan (QPP). The death benefit would equal the balance in the member's Annuity Savings Fund (ASF) (for Tier II members) or Member Contributions Accumulation Fund (MCAF) and Annuity Savings Accumulation Fund (ASAF) (for Tier III, IV, and VI members), plus the amount of either Death Benefit #1 or Death Benefit #2.

As of October 1, 2000, beneficiaries of Tier II, III, and IV members receive the greater of either Death Benefit #1 or Death Benefit #2, even if the member had elected Death Benefit #1 coverage. Members who joined TRS after January 1, 2001 (including Tier VI members) are automatically enrolled in Death Benefit #2.

If you have 25 or more years of qualifying service and have reached age 55, you would qualify for immediate payment under Plan A. If you have between 20 and 25 years of qualifying service, your Plan A benefits would be deferred until the later of your 55th birthday or the date you would have completed 25 years had you remained in active service. If you have reached age 55 but you are not eligible to retire under Plan A, you may cancel your Plan A membership and elect to retire under Plan B. If you have not reached age 55, but you have completed at least 30 years of total credited service, you may elect a 30-Year Demand Retirement.

You may switch once from Plan A to B or from Plan B to A. You would then only be permitted to switch back if, within 30 days of applying for the change, you retire or leave City service with vested rights.

If a Tier II, III, IV, or VI member dies while in service and is credited with at least one year of service since last joining TRS, the member's designated beneficiary can apply to receive ordinary death benefits under the Qualified Pension Plan (QPP). The death benefit would equal the balance in the member's Annuity Savings Fund (ASF) (for Tier II members) or Member Contributions Accumulations Fund (MCAF) and Annuity Savings Accumulation Fund (ASAF) (for Tier III, IV, and VI members), plus the amount of either Death Benefit #1 or Death Benefit #2.

As of October 1, 2000, beneficiaries of Tier II, III, and IV members receive the greater of either Death Benefit #1 or Death Benefit #2, even if the member had elected Death Benefit #1 coverage. Members who joined TRS after January 1, 2001 (including Tier VI members) are automatically enrolled in Death Benefit #2.