Q: I intend to retire at the end of this school year. At a retirement seminar I was told that from the retirement system's point of view, it doesn't matter whether I retire on June 30 or July 1. Either date would equal a full retirement check at the end of July. The speaker said I should determine the date based on the contract in my district. Other than wage increases, my contract reads pretty much the same for both years. What is your understanding?

A: Generally, members retire effective July 1 so that if any retirement legislation is enacted into law before Dec. 31 of that calendar year, they might be eligible for the improvement, because they were still in-service on June 30.

Q: I substituted in 2008. Will I be covered in Tier 4 or Tier 5?

A: You would be in Tier 4 ONLY if you were already a member of the state Teachers' Retirement System prior to the teaching.

Q: I would like to know if my part-time work during high school and college days for Nassau County during the years 1968-73 would count as part of my retirement. I have a letter from the county comptroller's office stating that I worked part-time and that I was not a member of the state Teachers' Retirement System at the time. Is it possible for me to buy any credit back to Tier I, since I worked during the time that Tier I was in place? I would like to set up an appointment with someone who could help me. I think this would be better than attending a retirement session.

A: Prior service ONLY affords additional service time; there is no tier change involved. It would seem as if the prior service you reference would be creditable for additional service.

We suggest you contact the TRS at 800-348-7298, ext. 6100, and set up a video consultation with a TRS representative.

Q: At what age can I retire and get my maximum final average salary? I am a Tier 4 member. Can I go at the age of 55 with 30 years in? Or is it age 62 with 30 years in? I will be 59 years old when I have 30 years in the system. I keep getting different scenarios from teachers in my district.

A: Tier 4 members are eligible to retire without penalty at minimum age 55 with 30 years of credited service.

From your e-mail it seems that when you reach 59 you will have the necessary years, so that is when you can retire with 60 percent of your final average salary.

Q: If there is a 55/25 incentive, is Tier 1 included too?

A: 55/25 is the easing of retirement restrictions for Tiers 2, 3 and 4. Currently, members of those tiers must earn 30 years of service credit in order to retire at a minimum age of 55 with a full pension.

Tier 1 is a 55/20 plan, minimum age 55; minimum years of service for a full pension: 20 years. Those in Tier 1 do not need the ability to retire with 25 years of credited service.