Retirement Benefits, Human Resource

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Retirement Benefits

New York State law mandates participation in a retirement system provided you are hired in a permanent status. A new staff member has 30 days from his/her appointment date to choose a retirement program, and the choice is irrevocable. If no choice is filed within 30 days, the law mandates that the member be assigned to the City of New York Teachers’ Retirement System.

If you are already a member of the NYCTRS or the NYCERS, you may remain in that program. Tier I and Tier II members check with the Benefits Officer for plan specifics.

If you are receiving a pension from NYS or any of its political subdivisions, you may be required to obtain approval to work, but you cannot participate in a New York State or New York retirement program.

THE CITY OF NEW YORK TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM (TRS)

TIER IV

Type of Plan:	Defined Benefit Plan: Benefits are based on age, final average salary (FAS) and years of service
Vesting:	Five (5) years
Retirement Eligibility:	Minimum: Age 62 and 10 years of credited service OR age 55 with 15 years of service at an actuarially reduced rate OR age 55 with 30 years or more of service with no reduction.
Contribution Rates:	Employee pays 3% of regular compensation on a federally tax deferred basis. Employer contributes a lump sum annually to its pension fund. The annual amount is determined by the actuary of TRS.
Retirement Allowance:	For employees retiring with 25 years of service: 1.67% x FAS (average salary paid for highest three consecutive years) multiplied by years of service. For years of service in excess of 25 years: 2% multiplied by FAS multiplied by years of service.
Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA):	Employees have the option to join a tax-deferred annuity 403 (B) program which allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars subject to a maximum exclusion allowance set forth by the IRS.
Disability Benefits:	A member of TRS is eligible to retire for Ordinary Disability if he or she has 10 or more years of service credit. Benefit schedules and formulas spelled out in the laws relating to Tier IV.
Death Benefit:	1/12 of last year’s salary earned: salary x years of service to a maximum of 36 years or one year’s salary multiplied by years of service to a maximum of 3 years which is reduced actuarially after age 61.
Portability:	Service credit transferable only to another NY public defined benefit retirement plan. Member contributions are refundable upon request, if one leaves prior to vesting.
Loans:	Available, on member contributions.
Web Site:	WWW.TRS.NYC.NY.US

THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM (ORP)
TEACHERS’ INSURANCE ANNUITY ASSOCIATION/COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND (TIAA/CREF

TIER V
Type of Plan:	Defined Contribution Plan: Benefits are based on the amounts contributed by the employee and employer and the success of investments.
Vesting:	After the first 13 months of continuous employment, with contributions from the date of appointment. Immediate with an open TIAA-CREF contract.
Retirement Age:	Minimum: None
Contribution Rates:	New ORP participants pay 3% of salary on a federal pre-tax basis. Employer pay 8% of salary for the first seven years of employment and 10% thereafter.
Retirement Allowance:	Retirement benefits are based on your annuity accumulations, age retirement, and the income option you select.
Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA):	Employees may participate in a supplemental retirement annuity program, 403 (B). It allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars subject to a maximum exclusion allowance set forth by the IRS.
Disability Benefits:	Members may choose to retire and begin annuity income at any time. However, city-provided health benefits are dependent upon appointment date, years of CUNY service and other provisions of the Agreement between CUNY and PSC-CUNY.
Death Benefit:	Total amount in retirement and TDA accounts.
Portability:	Accumulations are transferable to more than 3600 educational institutions. TIAA member contributions are refundable upon request, if one leaves prior to vesting.
Loans:	Available, on member contributions.
Alternate Funding Vehicles (AFV):	Available for diversification of your ORP investments. At present, the AFV’s are Guardian and MetLife. Please contact the Office of Human Resources.
Web Site:	WWW.TIAA-CREF.ORG

THE NEW YORK CITY EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM (NYCERS)

TIER IV
Type of Plan:	Defined Benefit Plan: Benefits are based on age, final average salary (FAS) and years of service
Vesting:	Five (5) years
Retirement Eligibility:	Age 62 and 10 years of credited service. Employees who joins 57/10 plan may elect to receive a reduced pension at age 57 with 10 years credited service.
Contribution Rates:	9/1/83 – 6/30/92 Employee pays 3% of regular compensation on a Federally deferred basis. Employer contributes a lump sum annually to its pension fund. The annual amount is determined by an actuary of TRS. 7/1/92 – Present – Employee pays 5.85%.
Retirement Allowance:	For employees retiring with 25 years of service: 1.67% x FAS (average salary paid for highest three consecutive years) multiplied by years of service. For years of service in excess of 25 years: 2% multiplied by FAS multiplied by years of service.
Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA):	403 (B) plan provided by Copeland Companies.
Disability Benefits:	A member of ERS is eligible to retire for Ordinary Disability if he or she has 10 or more years of service credit. Benefit schedules and formulas spelled out in the laws relating to Tier IV.
Death Benefit:	Death Benefit Plan I – One month’s salary for each year of credited service up to a maximum of three years’ salary or Death Benefit Plan II – maximum benefit of three years’ salary after three years of credited service.
Portability:	Service credit transferable only to another NYC public defined benefit retirement plan. Member contributions are refundable upon request, if one leaves prior to vesting.
Loans:	Available, on member contributions.
Web Site:	WWW.CI.NYC.US/HTML/NYCERS