Note to members: New York State Teachers' Retirement System has begun mailing the annual edition of your personalized Benefit Profile. Please don't just toss it in the drawer. Take a good look at it because correcting any misinformation now will help expedite the processing of your benefits in the future. Be sure to verify that your salary and service credit information — the basis for your NYSTRS benefits — have been correctly reported to TRS by your employers. If you notice an error, ask your employer to correct the records and to submit the revision to TRS. Also be sure your beneficiary information is up-to-date. If you do not receive your profile by the end of February, contact TRS at (800) 348-7298, Ext. 6250. (The profile is mailed to those who had a date of membership before June 30, 2007, and were still in active status in the first quarter of the current school year.)

Q: I am a Tier 4 member who is confused about when I can actually retire. I know that it is still in the distant future, but I do like to be fully informed on my professional status. I have heard many things such as a minimum of 55 years of age, 30 years of service and a combination of 55 years old and/or 30 years of service, depending on which one is reached sooner. Could you please clarify this for me?

A: It is gratifying to hear from a member who looks at the "big picture" and doesn't procrastinate. The eligibility under New York State law for Tier 4 retirement eligibility is BOTH minimum age 55 and 30 years of credited service.

Q: I receive supplemental pay from my district for sponsoring club activities after school. Sometimes we're also paid a stipend for attending an in-service workshop. These payments are added in with our regular paycheck, so do they count toward final average salary with TRS? Also, does money earned by teaching an occasional workshop for the regional teacher center get factored in?

A: All three activities referenced are usable as part of your final average salary IF paid directly to you via school district payroll.

Q: While I applaud the idea of pension credit for Peace Corps service, I am very disappointed to once again not see credit for military service during peace time. I am dismayed to still be penalized simply due to the fact my service was during peacetime. Though I didn't serve during a war, my service time was very much real service to my country. The idea someone would receive credit for Peace Corps service while my credit is not admissible is deplorable.

A: Although you did not ask a question, we feel obliged to respond to your e-mail. Both issues (pension credit for military service during peacetime and Peace Corps service) are in the NYSUT Legislative Program, meaning they are legislative bills the statewide union is pushing for. It is not NYSUT policy to erect a hierarchy of bills; hence debating the basic merits of one vs. the other would be counterproductive for all members. All gains that will benefit members are considered productive. NYSUT is actively pursuing successful enactment of both bills.

This column is written by Sheila Salenger, Joseph McLaughlin and Michael Corn, your Teacher-Members on the New York State Teachers' Retirement System Board of Directors.

In-service TRS members with pension questions may call them at the phone numbers at left or e-mail ssalenge@nysutmail.org.