It's always a delight to be contacted by an early-career educator. Too many people do not ask questions and plan early on for the future. Keep in mind that our pre-retirement workshops are beneficial for Teachers' Retirement System members of all ages and at all stages of life, from early-career educators to those close to retirement. If you'd like a pre-retirement workshopin your area, contact your local union president to arrange one.

Here's a question we've received from an early-career educator, as well as others of general interest.

Q: I am a member with three years of full-time public school teaching. I took maternity leave for the 2005-06 school year and have returned to teaching full-time. Can I buy back the years I take maternity leave? If so, how much does each year cost and how do I go about doing so? As a Tier 4 member, when am I entitled to retire without penalty?

A: Unfortunately, there is no provision to purchase service credit for time on maternity leave.

Tier 4 members are eligible to retire without penalty with a minimum of 30 years of credited service, at minimum age 55, or at least 20 years of service credit at age 62. You might wish to contact the TRS at (800) 348-7298 to request a member handbook. You'll learn even more about the benefits of the system.

Q: I am a single person with no children who has listed my mom as a beneficiary with the TRS. She is getting older and I am wondering if I should change my beneficiary to someone else or leave it blank. Would I be able to change it if something happened to her? If I were to change it, would it be better to leave it blank or should I put another relative (sister or brother) down? I'm just trying to figure this one out before something happens.

A: If you are an in-service member (i.e., not retired), you can change your death benefit beneficiary when you feel it is warranted. If you leave it blank, that means all beneficiary monies would go to your estate should you die while still in-service.

Q: After reading your column in a recent New York Teacher, I thought I'd write with a question of my own: For the final three-year average salary, must the three years be consecutive? Do they have to include the final year teaching?

A: Good questions with very brief answers: 1. Yes, they must be consecutive. 2. No, they don't have to include your final year of teaching.

Q: I have a quick question concerning Social Security. I am retiring in June at age 56. My question is, if I do not work from then until I can collect early Social Security at age 62, are my benefits less than on the present statement?

A: Social Security drops the lowest five years, so five of the six years will not be calculated as "0." Over a 20- or 30-year career, it probably will not be a difference of great proportions. If you want to receive an estimate, contact your local Social Security office.