Q: I am a student graduating this May and I will be going into teaching. What is going on with the Tier 5 proposal? I have heard so many negative things about it. Is there a way I can jump into Tier 4 now in case Tier 5 does end up passing?

A: There is considerable talk about the governor's plan to create a new Tier 5 retirement category for state and local government employees. Under his plan, the retirement age for those in the new tier would rise from 55 to 62. Tier 5 members would be required to contribute to the pension fund for their entire careers. (It's now 10 years for Tiers 3 and 4).

NYSUT and other public employee unions are strongly opposed to the plan, arguing it would not generate any immediate savings for the state and would hurt the ability of schools to attract and retain educators. The union has posted a letter at www.nysut.org that you can send to your local legislators to oppose this idea.

On a more personal note, if at all possible, you can attempt to substitute teach for one day so you will be in Tier 4. Be sure to join the Teachers Retirement System BEFORE you start. Call 800-348-7298.

Q: Our college-age son has been doing substitute teaching on his college breaks and may enter the teaching field after his years in the U.S. Army. He is in ROTC. Is he eligible to join the New York State Teachers' Retirement System now or must he be a fulltime teacher? If he can join now, how does he make this happen?

A: If he is substituting in a New York state public school, he can join the TRS. He should go to the business office of the district he is teaching in or download an application from www.nystrs.org and mail it to the system at the address on the Web site. He must accumulate a minimum of 20 days in a school year to receive service credit in the TRS. Tier 5 may become a reality soon, so if he can join and become a Tier 4 member, he will benefit. We suggest he contact the TRS at 800-348-7298, ext. 6250, for specific guidance on his situation.

Q: I am a teacher with 30 years of service and expect to work three or four more years. A friend mentioned that TRS will give retirement credit for summer work. Is it possible to amass time for summer curriculum writing? I usually work 3 to 8 hours per day per curriculum area. What about summer school lead teacher duties?

A: There is a state law that one can only receive one year's credit in a school year. If you are a full-time teacher, you are already receiving one year's credit. Therefore, summer work will not add to your service credit. However, if the summer educational work is done during your Final Average Salary years, the monies paid could be included in your FAS. Note: TRS is carefully monitoring all payments in FAS calculations, so be sure to save documentation of your work.

Q: I have been teaching for seven years, and it is possible that in the near future I may apply for a teaching position out of state. Can my member contributions be "rolled over" into other state systems?

A: Under current state law, if you procure a teaching position in another state, you will not be able to "roll over" your years of credited service.