Q: I have a couple of questions pertaining to those of us who made the 3 percent annual contribution to the New York State Teachers' Retirement System beyond the required 10 years. Did the 3 percent contribution begin as early as 1983, or in 1987? How does one seek verification that they paid beyond the 10 years — is there a special form which the school system needs to submit? Will those who paid beyond the 10 years receive compensation, either by payment or time toward their years in service, if the legislation is approved?

A: The 3 percent contributions began with the start of Tier 3 on July 27, 1976.

The NYSUT legislative program bill asks for one month of additional service credit for each year over 10 years that the 3 percent was paid by members. Nothing has to be submitted or verified now, because the bill is not yet a law.

One important note: Should the bill be enacted into law AFTER you have retired, you are not eligible. In-service benefit improvements apply only to in-service members (i.e., still working).

Q: I was a reading recovery teacher in training during the 1990-91 school year. I was hired part-time and received 5 months of service for the year. As a job requirement I also had to take the reading recovery training, which involved 2 weeks in the summer and a 3-hour class once a week for 10 months. The district paid for this training, and I received 12 graduate credits. I called TRS to see if I was eligible for prior service for this training which was a requirement of the job, but was told no. If it was a requirement for my job, shouldn't I receive credit toward retirement for it? I worked for the district in the class that I took. I feel like I'm being penalized for working hard.

A: You are not being penalized. Under New York law, service credit can ONLY be awarded for service rendered and salary afforded on the payroll of a participating provider of the NYSTRS.

The fact that the district paid for the training and that the training was required for the position do not constitute eligibility for service credit. If that were the case, the four years of college for a bachelor's degree, and a year or two for a master's degree, which are requirements for teaching, would afford us all five or six years of service credit (which would be terrific for us, but does not adhere to state law).

Q: What is the status of 55/25? Any chance that it will become permanent? I have three more years to work to have 25 years of service and I will also turn 55 that same year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

A: This measure, which would allow members to retire without penalty at age 55 with 25 years of service, is a prominent bill in the NYSUT Legislative Program — meaning the union is actively lobbying for its passage by the state Legislature.

It did pass last year, only to be vetoed by the last governor.