Under Death Benefit #2, the benefit would equal one year's salary upon the completion of one year of service, two years' salary upon the completion of two years of service, and three years' salary upon the completion of three or more years of service. If the member remained in service to age 61, the in-service death benefit would be reduced by 3% for each succeeding year until age 70, when the benefit would equal 70% of the applicable amount. (This description assumes that the member was in active service and died with at least one year of Total Service Credit since last joining TRS.)

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.

The following table shows the age-reduction factors that affect the benefit payable under Death Benefit #2.

Note: Different reduction factors applied for members who died before July 1, 2021.

Under Death Benefit #2, the benefit would equal one year's salary upon the completion of one year of service, two years' salary upon the completion of two years of service, and three years' salary upon the completion of three or more years of service. If the member remained in service to age 61, the in-service death benefit would be reduced by 3% for each succeeding year until age 70, when the benefit would equal 70% of the applicable amount. (This description assumes that the member was in active service and died with at least one year of Total Service Credit since last joining TRS.)

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.

The following table shows the age-reduction factors that affect the benefit payable under Death Benefit #2.

Under Death Benefit #2, the benefit would equal one year's salary upon the completion of one year of service, two years' salary upon the completion of two years of service, and three years' salary upon the completion of three or more years of service. If the member remained in service to age 61, the in-service death benefit would be reduced by 3% for each succeeding year until age 70, when the benefit would equal 70% of the applicable amount. This description assumes that the member was in active service and died with at least one year of Total Service Credit since last joining TRS.)

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.

The following table shows the age-reduction factors that affect the benefit payable under Death Benefit #2.

In order to provide you with retirement income as quickly as possible, TRS issues advance payments of your retirement allowance beginning with the payroll approximately one to two months following your effective retirement date (or initial payability date, if you retired under deferred payability). However, if your regular retirement allowance is available at that time, you would receive your regular retirement allowance instead.

If TRS cannot finalize your retirement allowance within four months of your retirement date, we would increase the amount of your advance payments, so that they would be closer to the amount you will receive once your retirement is finalized.

Advance payments are not estimates of your retirement allowance payments; in fact, your advance payments are designed to be smaller than your retirement allowance payments. The advance payment calculations do not reflect all the factors used to determine your retirement allowance payments. TRS calculates your advance payments based on your retirement plan choice, payment election, salary, and any applicable age-reduction factor. Total Service Credit is not used in the advance payment calculations.

In order to provide you with retirement income as quickly as possible, TRS issues advance payments of your retirement allowance beginning with the payroll approximately one to two months following your effective retirement date (or initial payability date, if you retired under deferred payability). However, if your regular retirement allowance is available at that time, you would receive your regular retirement allowance instead.

If TRS cannot finalize your retirement allowance within four months of your retirement date, we would increase the amount of your advance payments, so that they would be closer to the amount you will receive once your retirement is finalized.

Advance payments are not estimates of your retirement allowance payments; in fact, your advance payments are designed to be smaller than your retirement allowance payments. The advance payment calculations do not reflect all the factors used to determine your retirement allowance payments. TRS calculates your advance payments based on your retirement plan choice, payment election, salary, and any applicable age-reduction factor. Total Service Credit is not used in the advance payment calculations.

The City of New York transmits your retirement payments on the last business day of every month. A calendar of projected payment dates is normally available on our website.

If the last day of the month is not a business day, your account may not reflect the deposit until the next business day. Note: TRS does not control when your financial institution will credit your account. If you have questions about when funds will be credited to your account, contact your financial institution.

Credit for Restoration of Health Leave (or LHR) is only applicable to Tier I members. To receive pension credit for this leave, you must initially apply through your employer. Your employer will recommend to TRS whether the LHR should be credited for pension purposes. However, TRS will make the final determination whether pension credit is granted for the LHR.

You may be eligible for a lump-sum disability benefit if you are an in-service member or you are on an official leave of absence, and you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of no more than 12 months.

In addition, if you are a Tier III member, you must be eligible to receive primary Social Security disability benefits if you are under age 65, and you must waive the benefits of any statutory presumption relating to the cause of disability or eligibility for disability benefits.

If you are determined to be eligible for a lump-sum disability benefit, you would receive a benefit equaling the amount payable (as a death benefit) had you died on your last day of active service.

Please note that, if you meet the Total Service Credit requirement for ordinary disability retirement (10 years for members filing under Tiers I, II, IV, and VI, 5 years for members filing under Tier III), you must also apply for an ordinary disability retirement when you request a lump-sum disability benefit. Your case would be reviewed by TRS' Medical Board, and you would be scheduled for a medical examination. The Medical Board would then determine whether you are eligible for an ordinary disability retirement and/or the lump-sum disability benefit.

For more information, please see the Lump-Sum Disability Benefit brochure.