Three questions
- Did you have TFFR service credit before July 1, 2008? No, or you took a refund after June 30, 2008 and came back: Tier 2.
- If yes: on June 30, 2013, were you vested, with at least 3 years of service? No: Tier 1 Non-grandfathered.
- If vested: were you at least 55 on June 30, 2013, or was your age plus service 65 or more? Yes: Tier 1 Grandfathered. No: Tier 1 Non-grandfathered.
Handbook pp. 3-4, Tiers and Grandfathering Status; p. 45, Tier 1 Member, Tier 2 Member; NDCC 15-39.1-04(13)-(16); 15-39.1-15; 15-39.1-20; Tiers info sheet; NDCC 15-39.1-04(13), (15); Handbook p. 45, Tier 1 Grandfathered Member; Valuation (2026) p. 35, Membership; Fast Facts (FY2025) p. 2, Plan Summary
- Tier 1 Grandfathered. Had TFFR service credit on July 1, 2008 (and took no refund after June 30, 2008), and on June 30, 2013 was vested (3 years) and either at least age 55 or had age plus service of 65 or more. Rule of 85 or age 65; 6% a year early reduction; 3-year vesting and 3-year FAS.
- Tier 1 Non-grandfathered. Tier 1 member who did not meet the grandfathering test on June 30, 2013. Rule of 90 with minimum age 60, or age 65; 8% a year early reduction; 3-year vesting and 3-year FAS.
- Tier 2. New members on or after July 1, 2008, and returning members who took a refund after June 30, 2008. Rule of 90 with minimum age 60, or age 65; 8% a year early reduction; 5-year vesting and 5-year FAS.
Handbook p. 3 (and the tiers sheet, the Fall 2025 slides) defines Tier 1 Grandfathered as 'within 10 years of normal retirement as of June 30, 2013'. Handbook p. 45, the statute and the valuation define it as vested on June 30, 2013 AND age 55 or older OR age + service of 65 or more. These agree (55 is 10 years from 65; 65 is 20 age-plus-service points, i.e. 10 calendar years, from 85) except that the short form omits the vesting requirement. Our calculator uses the precise test.
Handbook p. 3 vs p. 45; NDCC 15-39.1-04(13); Valuation (2026) p. 35; Fast Facts (FY2025) p. 2| Born | Service June 30, 2013 | Why | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 1958 | 3 | 55 on June 30, 2013, vested | Tier 1 Grandfathered |
| June 30, 1958 | 2.9 | 55, but not vested | Tier 1 Non-grandfathered |
| July 1, 1958 | 10 | a day short of 55; age + service just under 65 | Tier 1 Non-grandfathered |
| July 1, 1958 | 11 | 54 with 11 years: age + service over 65 | Tier 1 Grandfathered |
| June 30, 1968 | 20 | 45 with 20 years: exactly 65 | Tier 1 Grandfathered |
If you don't know your 2013 service
The calculator asks for it. If you leave it blank, we estimate it from the date you joined, as if you worked full time without a break, and label the result "estimated". For example, someone born March 1, 1972 who joined August 15, 2000 would have about 12.9 years by June 30, 2013: Tier 1 Non-grandfathered (estimated). Part-time work, leave and breaks give less service than the calendar does.
Grandfathering depends on service on June 30, 2013, which the calculator does not know. If the user does not give it (or a grandfathered flag), we estimate it as one year per fiscal year from the membership date, capped at total service.
What we do: user input; otherwise full-time continuous service from the membership date
What would settle it: The member's tier status on their MyTFFR account summary or benefit estimate (Retirement Guide p. 3).What your tier changes
| Tier 1 Grandfathered | Tier 1 Non-grandfathered | Tier 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreduced benefit | Rule of 85, any age, or 65 | Rule of 90 and age 60+, or 65 | Rule of 90 and age 60+, or 65 |
| Early cut (from 55) | 6% a year (0.5% a month) | 8% a year (0.6667% a month) | 8% a year (0.6667% a month) |
| Vesting | 3 years | 3 years | 5 years |
| Final average salary | highest 3 years | highest 3 years | highest 5 years |
Handbook p. 17, Eligibility For Benefit; p. 4, Dual Membership; NDCC 15-39.1-10(1); Valuation (2026) p. 36, Normal Retirement; Handbook p. 18, Early Retirement; NDCC 15-39.1-12; NDAC 82-05-04-01; Valuation (2026) p. 37, Early Retirement; Handbook p. 13, Vesting; p. 4, Dual Membership; p. 14, Eligibility item 4; NDCC 15-39.1-11; 15-39.1-10.3(1)(a); Handbook p. 18, Final Average Salary; p. 43, Final Average Salary; NDCC 15-39.1-10(2); Retirement Guide (2023) p. 3
The formula (2% of your final average monthly salary for each year) is the same in every tier. The formula · Early retirement
From the sources
- Tier 1: you had TFFR service credit before July 1, 2008 and did not take a refund after June 30, 2008. Tier 2: you joined on or after July 1, 2008, or came back after taking a refund.Handbook pp. 3-4, p. 45; NDCC 15-39.1-04(14), (16); Tiers info sheet
- Tier 1 is split in two. You are Tier 1 Grandfathered if on June 30, 2013 you were vested (3 years) and either at least 55 or had age plus service of 65 or more. Every other Tier 1 member is Tier 1 Non-grandfathered.NDCC 15-39.1-04(13), (15); Handbook p. 45; Valuation (2026) p. 35
- If you take a refund as a Tier 1 member and later return, you come back as Tier 2, even if you buy the refunded service back.Handbook p. 38; NDCC 15-39.1-15
- Your tier status is shown on your account copy, benefit estimate and MyTFFR account summary.Retirement Guide (2023) p. 3
- Tier 1 members vest after 3 years of North Dakota service credit; Tier 2 members after 5. Once vested you can get a monthly benefit: unreduced at normal retirement, or reduced from age 55.Handbook p. 13, Vesting; NDCC 15-39.1-11
Questions
Am I Tier 1 or Tier 2?
Tier 1 if you had TFFR service credit before July 1, 2008 and haven't taken a refund since June 30, 2008. Otherwise Tier 2.
What does grandfathered mean?
A Tier 1 member who, on June 30, 2013, was vested (3 years) and either at least 55 or had age plus service of 65 or more. Grandfathered members keep the Rule of 85 and the 6% early cut.
Where can I see my tier?
On your account copy, a benefit estimate, or your MyTFFR account summary.
Can I get Tier 1 back after a refund?
No. A Tier 1 member who takes a refund and returns comes back as Tier 2, even after buying the service back.
Source: Teachers' Fund for Retirement Member Handbook, 5/7/2026, pp. 3-4, 13, 14, 17, 18, 38, 43, 45. Also: Tiers info sheet; Valuation (2026); Fast Facts (FY2025); Retirement Guide (2023); NDCC 15-39.1-04, 15-39.1-10, 15-39.1-11, 15-39.1-12, 15-39.1-15; NDAC 82-05-04-01. Last reviewed .