The age factor multiplies your pension factor, and which rule applies depends on your tier. Sometimes one more year removes it altogether.
When the age factor applies
| Tier | Earliest | No age factor | Kept at 55 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Age 55 with 2 years of NYS service, or at any age with 35 yearsActuarial Valuation 2024, App. 19, p. 82 | Age 55, or 35 years, at any ageBenefit Comparison Table 2014 pp. 2-4; Handbook p. 25 (no Tier 1 age factor listed); Actuarial Valuation 2024, App. 19, p. 82 | No age factor |
| Tier 2 | Age 55 with 5 yearsHandbook p. 25; Actuarial Valuation 2024, App. 19, p. 83 | Age 62, or 30 years (from age 55)Handbook pp. 16, 25 | 73% |
| Tier 3 | Age 55 with 5 yearsHandbook pp. 16, 25 | Age 62, or 30 years (from age 55)Handbook pp. 16, 25 | 73% |
| Tier 4 | Age 55 with 5 yearsHandbook pp. 16, 25 | Age 62, or 30 years (from age 55)Handbook pp. 16, 25 | 73% |
| Tier 5 | Age 55 with 5 yearsHandbook pp. 16, 25 | Age 62, or age 57 with 30 yearsHandbook pp. 16, 25, 30; NYSTRS Regulations § 5005.5 | 61.67% |
| Tier 6 | Age 55 with 5 yearsHandbook pp. 9, 16, 25 | Age 63, or age 58 with 30 yearsHandbook pp. 16, 25, 31; Compilation of Laws 2026, Introduction | 48% |
What it costs: an example
Same 25 years of service and $80,000 FAS in every tier. Our engine, from the rules above. Your numbers will differ.
| Tier | Retire at 55 | Wait until the full-benefit age | Difference a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2 | $2,433/mo (36.5% of FAS) | $3,333/mo at 62 | $900 |
| Tier 4 | $2,433/mo (36.5% of FAS) | $3,333/mo at 62 | $900 |
| Tier 5 | $2,056/mo (30.83% of FAS) | $3,333/mo at 62 | $1,278 |
| Tier 6 | $1,440/mo (21.6% of FAS) | $3,000/mo at 63 | $1,560 |
Waiting also adds years of service, which raises the pension further. This example holds service at 25 years to show only the age factor. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
The rules, from NYSTRS
- Tier 2-6 members in active service can retire at age 55 with five years of NYS service credit. An age factor reduces the benefit unless you meet your tier's full-benefit rule.Handbook p. 25
- No age factor applies to: Tiers 2-4 at age 62 or later, or with 30 years of service; Tier 5 at 62 or later, or at 57 or later with 30 years; Tier 6 at 63 or later, or at 58 or later with 30 years.Handbook p. 25
- Tiers 3-4 age factors (percent of the pension factor kept): 55 = 73%, 56 = 76%, 57 = 79%, 58 = 82%, 59 = 85%, 60 = 88%, 61 = 94%, 62 = 100%, prorated by month.Handbook p. 28
- Tier 5 age factors: 55 = 61.67%, 56 = 66.67%, 57 = 71.67%, 58 = 76.67%, 59 = 81.67%, 60 = 86.67%, 61 = 93.33%, 62 = 100%, prorated by month. The regulation sets these as 1/180 for each full month of the first 24 months before 62, plus 1/240 for each full month of the first 60 months before 60.Handbook p. 30; NYSTRS Regulations § 5005.5
- Tier 6 age factors: 55 = 48%, 56 = 54.5%, 57 = 61%, 58 = 67.5%, 59 = 74%, 60 = 80.5%, 61 = 87%, 62 = 93.5%, 63 = 100%: a 6.5% cut for each year (6.5/1200 for each full month) before 63.Handbook p. 31; NYSTRS Regulations § 5005.6
- Tiers 1 and 2: the pension factor is cut 5% for every year (prorated by month) under 20 years of NYS service, up to a 50% cut. For example, 15 years gives 75% of the 30% factor, or 22.5%.Handbook p. 32
- Tier 1 (Career Plan) members can retire at 55 with two years of NYS service, or at any age with 35 years. Tier 1 has no age factor; only the under-20-years service reduction applies.Actuarial Valuation 2024, App. 19, p. 82; Benefit Comparison Table 2014 pp. 2-4; Handbook p. 32
- Tier 2 members can retire at 62 with five years, at 55 with 30 years, or at 55 with five years with a reduction of 6% for each of the first two years under 62 and 3% for each of the next five (the same 73%-100% scale as Tiers 3-4).Actuarial Valuation 2024, App. 19, p. 83; Benefit Comparison Table 2014 pp. 2-4; Handbook p. 25
- Since Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2026, Tier 6 members can retire without an age reduction at 58 with 30 or more years of service, as well as at 63.Compilation of Laws 2026, Introduction; Handbook pp. 16, 25, 31
Questions
What is the earliest I can retire from NYSTRS?
For Tiers 2-6: age 55 with 5 years of service credit. Tier 1: age 55 with 2 years of nys service, or at any age with 35 years.
Does the age factor ever go away?
No. If you retire with an age factor, your pension stays at that lower level for life. The COLA, once you qualify, is figured on that amount.
What if I left teaching before 55?
If you are vested you can apply once you reach the earliest age for your tier. A vested-deferred Tier 6 member who left before 55 must wait until 63 unless they come back and earn service credit.
Source: NYSTRS Active Members' Handbook, Updated October 2026, pp. 9, 16, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32. Also: Actuarial Valuation 2024 App. 19, pp. 82, 83; Benefit Comparison Table 2014 pp. 2, 3, 4; NYSTRS Regulations §§ 5005.5, 5005.6; Compilation of Laws 2026 Introduction; Tier 6 deck slide 26. Last reviewed .