Tiers 1 and 2
If not teaching (or part-time with your contract ended), you may withdraw your contributions, if any, and end your membership.
Handbook p. 10; NYSTRS Regulations §§ 5007.2, 5010.2Tiers 3 to 6
If not teaching (or part-time with your contract ended), you can generally withdraw only with fewer than 10 years of service credit. With 10 or more you may withdraw only to get credit in another state's public retirement system, and only if all three conditions on p. 10 are met.
Handbook p. 10; NYSTRS Regulations §§ 5007.2, 5010.2What a refund costs youWithdrawal forfeits any future benefit, including any vested death benefit. An outstanding loan is deducted from the refund.Handbook p. 10; NYSTRS Regulations §§ 5007.2, 5010.2
If you keep your account, you apply once you reach the earliest age for your tier, and an age factor may apply. Coming back later? Reinstating an earlier membership can sometimes move you to an earlier tier, and buying service credit can add years.
What NYSTRS says
- You are vested after five years of service credit reportable to NYSTRS. Vested members keep a right to a lifetime benefit even if they leave teaching, as long as they stay members. Before April 9, 2022, Tiers 5 and 6 needed 10 years.Handbook p. 9
- A vested Tier 6 member with no NYSTRS service credit for seven years is vested-deferred. One who became vested-deferred before age 55 can't retire until 63, unless they earn at least one month of service credit in a NYSTRS-reportable position.Handbook pp. 9, 25
- Tier 3-6 members who aren't teaching (or part-time with their contract ended) can generally withdraw only with fewer than 10 years of service credit. With 10 or more years, withdrawal is allowed only to get credit in another state's public retirement system, under three conditions.Handbook p. 10; NYSTRS Regulations § 5010.2
- Withdrawing ends your membership and forfeits any future benefit, including any vested death benefit. Any outstanding loan is subtracted from the refund.Handbook p. 10; NYSTRS Regulations §§ 5007.2, 5010.2
- Member contributions earn 5% interest a year for borrowing or withdrawal purposes only.Handbook p. 14; NYSTRS Regulations § 5010.2(b); N.Y. Educ. Law § 501(9)(a)
- With fewer than five years of credit, your membership ends automatically if you don't earn the equivalent of 20 full-time days of credit in a school year for seven consecutive school years.Handbook p. 10
- Tier 3 and 4 members contributed 3% of salary until they had 10 years of membership or service. Tier 5 members contribute 3.5% for their whole career. Tier 6 members contribute 3% to 6% depending on earnings.Handbook p. 14
Loans instead of a refund
- Tier 3-6 members with at least one year of service can borrow from their contributions: minimum $1,000, once per calendar year, up to five years to repay, 5.95% interest on new loans. Members who joined before July 1, 2022 can borrow up to 75% of their balance. Those who joined on or after that date can borrow up to 50% or $50,000, whichever is less.Handbook pp. 22-23
- A Tier 3-6 loan not repaid within 30 days of your retirement date permanently reduces your pension and may be taxed.Handbook p. 23
Interest on new loans: 5.95%. Minimum loan $1,000. Handbook pp. 22-23; Tier 6 deck (2023) slide 14
Questions
Can I cash out my NYSTRS account?
Tier 1-2 members who aren't teaching can withdraw. Tier 3-6 members can generally withdraw only with fewer than 10 years of service credit.
What do I give up by withdrawing?
Your membership and any future NYSTRS pension, including any vested death benefit.
If I'm vested and leave, what happens?
You keep the right to a lifetime pension as long as you stay a member. You apply when you reach your tier's earliest retirement age.
Source: NYSTRS Active Members' Handbook, Updated October 2026, pp. 9, 10, 13, 14, 22, 23, 25. Also: NYSTRS Regulations §§ 5007.2, 5010.2; N.Y. Educ. Law; Tier 6 deck slide 14. Last reviewed .