Independent, source-linked pension research
Rules reviewed August 2026
New York City teacher retirement system
The Qualified Pension Plan, Tier 4 and Tier 6 rules, the 55/25 and 57/5 programs, TDA savings and NYC-specific COLA.
Complete topic cluster
01Eligibility
See when NYC TRS Tier VI members can retire in 2026, including five-year vesting, age 63 full benefits, and the new age-58/30-year route.
02Benefit formula
Learn the NYC TRS Tier VI pension formula, the 20-year breakpoint, five-year Final Average Salary rule, 10% wage cap, and worked examples.
03Early retirement
See the NYC TRS Tier VI reduction percentages for ages 55–62, the 2026 age-58/30-year exception, and why separation can change eligibility.
04Vesting
Understand NYC TRS five-year vesting, what happens if Tier VI members leave before or after vesting, deferred benefits, and the seven-school-year window.
05Refunds
See when NYC TRS QPP funds can be withdrawn, how vesting limits Tier VI refunds, the RW41/RW29 rollover process, and what happens to TDA accounts.
06Survivor benefits
See how NYC TRS Tier VI death benefits work in 2026, including Death Benefit #2, beneficiary choices, age reductions, and retiree payments.
07Working after retirement
Understand NYC TRS post-retirement work rules in 2026, including the $35,000 Section 212 limit, Section 211 waivers, age 65, and public jobs.
08Disability
Compare NYC TRS Tier VI ordinary and accident disability retirement, including the 10-year service rule, Medical Board review, filing windows, and formulas.
09Service credit
See what NYC TRS Tier VI members can buy as service credit, the 6% wage cost, 5% interest, two-year crediting rule, SB64 process, and deadlines.
010Social Security
See what the 2025 Social Security Fairness Act changed for NYC TRS members, when WEP and GPO ended, what SSA recalculated, and what still depends on the record.
011COLA
See NYC TRS COLA eligibility, the 1.7% rate for September 2026, the 1%–3% statutory formula, the $18,000 base cap and survivor rules.
012Divorce
Understand NYC TRS divorce orders for QPP and TDA benefits, including draft review, Majauskas calculations, Alternate Payee timing, and rollover steps.
013Taxes
Understand federal reporting for an NYC TRS pension, New York State and City public-pension exemptions, Form 1099-R, and W-4P withholding changes.
014Plan tiers
Compare NYC TRS Tier I and Tier VI by membership date, retirement age, FAS, pension formula, contributions, and the 2026 age-58/30-year rule.