Tier A
Vested by 2011
Members vested prior to 1/1/2012.
NHRS page 'Member Tiers'; Group I Summary, Tier A (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 1Tier B
Started by June 2011
Members in service prior to 7/1/2011 but not vested prior to 1/1/2012.
NHRS page 'Member Tiers'; Group I Summary, Tier B (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 1Tier C
Started July 2011 or later
Members hired on/after 7/1/2011.
NHRS page 'Member Tiers'; Group I Summary, Tier C (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 1Three questions
- When did you start NHRS-covered work? On or after July 1, 2011, you're Tier C and can stop here.
- Before July 1, 2011: did you have 10 years of Creditable Service by Dec. 31, 2011? If yes, you were vested, so you're Tier A.
- If not: did you reach 60 while working under NHRS before January 1, 2012? If yes, you were vested by age: Tier A. If no: Tier B.
Vested on the earlier of 10 years of NHRS Creditable Service, or (Tier A) on or after attainment of age 60. Members working in an NHRS-covered position at or beyond normal Service Retirement age (60 if hired before July 1, 2011, 65 otherwise) have also earned a right to a future benefit. Group I Summary, Tier A (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 1, Vesting; NHRS page 'FAQ: Terminating Employment Prior to Retirement'; RSA 100-A:1, XXXVII(a); RSA 100-A:10, I(a)
NHRS's own examples: A teacher who commenced service on 2/15/03 is Group I, Tier B; An employee who commenced service on 8/17/87 and was vested on 1/1/12 is Group I, Tier A. NHRS page 'Member Tiers', examples
Tier A vs B depends on whether the member was vested (10 years, or age 60 in service) before Jan. 1, 2012. The engine takes this as an input; if it's missing, it estimates service on Dec. 31, 2011 by assuming continuous service back from the retirement date (or from leaving, when projectService is false).
Your answer; otherwise an estimate from your years of service.
What would settle it: The member's NHRS statement or My Account, which shows the tier.
The three tiers side by side
| Tier A | Tier B | Tier C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Vested before January 1, 2012 | Started before July 1, 2011, not vested by January 1, 2012 | Started on or after July 1, 2011 |
| AFC | Highest 3 years | Highest 5 years | Highest 5 years |
| No reduction from | Age 60 | Age 60 | Age 65 |
| Early retirement | 50-59 with 10 years, or Rule of 70 | 50-59 with 10 years, or Rule of 70 | 60-64 with 30 years |
| Maximum pension | 100% of highest year | Depends on hire date | 85% of AFC or $120,000 |
The formula is the same in all three tiers: 1/60 of AFC per year of service, then 1/66 from full Social Security age. See the formula and early retirement. NHRS pages 'Service Retirement: Group I Tier A & B' and 'Group I Tier C'; Group I Summaries (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 1, Service Retirement; RSA 100-A:5, I(b)
The "Tier A/C" edge case
A small number of members started on or after July 1, 2011 and were already vested by age (60 while working) before January 1, 2012. NHRS calls them "Tier A/C". NHRS's pages don't spell out which rules apply to them, and the statute's two AFC definitions overlap for this group.
A few members hired on/after July 1, 2011 were vested by age before Jan. 1, 2012 ('Tier A/C'). RSA 100-A:1, XVIII(a) and (b) overlap for them on AFC. The engine treats everyone hired on/after July 1, 2011 as Tier C.
Tier C rules.
What would settle it: NHRS confirmation.
What the sources say
- New Hampshire public school teachers are Group I (Employee and Teacher) members of the New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS), a defined benefit plan. Benefits are set by state law (RSA 100-A).Group I Summary, Tier A (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 1, About NHRS; RSA 100-A:1, VI
- Your tier depends on your hire date and whether you were vested before Jan. 1, 2012. Tier A: vested before Jan. 1, 2012. Tier B: in service before July 1, 2011 but not vested before Jan. 1, 2012. Tier C: hired on or after July 1, 2011.NHRS page 'Member Tiers'
- NHRS's own examples: a teacher who started on Feb. 15, 2003 is Group I, Tier B; an employee who started on Aug. 17, 1987 and was vested on Jan. 1, 2012 is Group I, Tier A.NHRS page 'Member Tiers'
- You're vested after 10 years of Creditable Service. Tier A summaries add: or on or after reaching age 60, regardless of service. Members working in an NHRS-covered position at or beyond normal retirement age (60 if hired before July 1, 2011, 65 otherwise) have also earned a future benefit.Group I Summary, Tier A (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 1, Vesting; NHRS page 'FAQ: Terminating Employment Prior to Retirement'
- Check with NHRSA few members hired on or after July 1, 2011 became vested by age before Jan. 1, 2012. NHRS calls them 'Tier A/C'. Check with NHRS which rules apply to you.NHRS's pages don't say which rules apply to Tier A/C members; our calculator treats everyone hired on or after July 1, 2011 as Tier C.NHRS page 'Member Tiers', Note
In most cases of full-time employment, membership is mandatory. Participation is mandatory for employers of Police, Fire and Teacher members. NHRS page 'Membership Eligibility'; RSA 100-A:3
Next: how the pension is figured, retiring early, or try the calculator.
Questions
What are NHRS Tiers A, B and C?
Tier A: vested before January 1, 2012. Tier B: in service before July 1, 2011 but not vested before January 1, 2012. Tier C: hired on or after July 1, 2011. The tier sets your AFC years, your retirement ages and your early-retirement rules.
How do I know if I was vested before Jan. 1, 2012?
You were vested if you had 10 years of Creditable Service by Dec. 31, 2011, or reached 60 while working in an NHRS-covered job before then. Your NHRS statement or My Account shows your tier.
Does my tier change the formula?
No. Every tier uses AFC ÷ 60 × service until full Social Security age, then ÷ 66. The tier changes how AFC is figured (3 or 5 years) and when you can retire without a reduction (60 or 65).
Source: NHRS Group I (Employee and Teacher) Member Benefits summaries, Tiers A, B and C, Rev. 10/2024, PDF p. 1. Also: NHRS member web pages (saved Nov. 12, 2026); NHRS AFC brochure (Sept. 2026); RSA 100-A:1, 100-A:3, 100-A:5, 100-A:6-a, 100-A:10. Last reviewed .