Q: I am 38 years old and on Tier 4. As of June I will have been teaching 14 years and 8 months. Will I be able to retire at age 55? At that point, I will have 32 years of service.

A: Good news! Tier 4 is a 30/55 plan. That means that at age 55, if you are still in service and have a minimum of 30 years of credited service, you are able to retire with a full pension (no penalties).

Q: If I send in my retirement papers to the TRS, then change my mind, can they be rescinded? If yes, when is the latest date?

A: A member can rescind a retirement application up to 14 days after the effective date of retirement. It used to be up to the day before the effective date.

Your employer's policy for withdrawing a retirement application or changing a date of retirement may differ from TRS policy. Some employers, for example, consider a letter of resignation or retirement irrevocable. You should consult with your local union president to confirm your district's policy on filing for retirement.

Q: I am planning to retire this year.

I would like to collect my pension in the months of July and August. I know that I need to submit paperwork to NYSUT 30 days prior to retiring. My question is: Do I also have to let the district know of my plans?

I would like to exit quietly, but not at the expense of not being able to collect my pension. Can I collect in July and submit my resignation to the district June 30?

A: Your retirement will be from the New York State TRS, the retirement system, not New York State United Teachers, the statewide union. The 30-day requirement has not existed for several years. Just be certain to mail your retirement application to the retirement system, certified return receipt, so you are assured it is received before July 1.

We suggest you contact TRS at 800-348-7298, ext. 6100, and set up a video consultation in your geographic area with a retirement system representative.

One-on-one consultations — open to all members — let you ask questions about your specific situation and receive printed estimates of your retirement benefits. TRS video consultations allow live, face-to-face communication with a representative at system headquarters in Albany via video conference. TRS has posted a schedule of upcoming 2009-10 consultations at www.nystrs.org.

Reminder: If you have attained 10 years of New York State Teachers' Retirement System membership, you should no longer be paying the 3 percent contribution for retirement. Check your pay stubs!