FAQ on BERS to TRS transfers
In December 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill that will allow UFT members who are enrolled in the Board of Education Retirement System (BERS) to transfer into the Teachers’ Retirement System if they wish.
This new law is the culmination of a years-long fight on the part of the UFT. By working together and raising our voices, we won a better future for ourselves and subsequent generations of UFT members.
The UFT will hold in-person information sessions in all five boroughs in February, March and April to guide you through the decision-making and transfer process. The following FAQ provides answers to the some of the questions that UFT members have. More questions and answers will be added as information becomes available.
What does the new legislation mean to me as a BERS member?
Chapter 551 of the laws of 2024 allows current members of BERS who are working in UFT-covered titles to transfer their membership from BERS to TRS. The transfer must be requested by Dec. 11, 2025 — one year after the effective date of Chapter 551.
What job titles are affected?
The law affects any job title that a) is covered by the UFT and b) provided membership in BERS. This includes but is not limited to substitute, per-session, and per-diem titles, educational analyst/officer titles, occupational therapists, physical therapists and more. We will publish a more comprehensive list of titles when available.
Is there a deadline for transferring from BERS to TRS?
Yes, but you have plenty of time to make an informed decision. The transfer must be requested by Dec. 11, 2025 — one year after the effective date of Chapter 551. Members who do not file to transfer to TRS by this date will remain in BERS.
Because the deadline is nearly a year away, we urge you not to take any action until you have carefully considered all the information and understand how a transfer may affect you.
Should I file now to transfer my membership?
TRS and BERS are still working to ensure proper protocols are in place to implement the legislation, so we do not recommend filing at this time.
The decision to transfer membership is irrevocable. If you file a request to transfer to TRS, you cannot “undo” that and transfer back to BERS. That’s why it is advisable to have all the information before making a decision.
What does a membership transfer mean?
If you transfer your membership from BERS to TRS, you will become a member of TRS. Your tier status, service credit, pension contributions, Tax-Deferred Annuity Program account, loan balances, deficits in contributions, etc., would transfer to TRS with you.
It is important to understand that the retirement plans at TRS are similar but not identical to those at BERS, and your date of membership in BERS will help determine what retirement plan you qualify for at TRS. Each TRS plan has different requirements for contributions, and some members who transfer membership may be required to make back contributions upon joining TRS. That’s one key reason to wait for more information and carefully consider your individual situation before taking any action.
What does the legislation mean for new employees?
Going forward, individuals who are hired in the affected titles will have the option to join TRS for pension coverage. They will not be eligible to join BERS. New employees are encouraged to join TRS right away so they can start earning pension credit as soon as possible. Those who wait to join will still be able to purchase pension credit for the period before they joined TRS, but the cost will be greater the longer they wait.