Your Pension Is the Qualified Pension Plan

Every TRS member takes part in the Qualified Pension Plan, or QPP, automatically. It is a defined-benefit plan, which means it is built to pay a set benefit when you retire. You contribute part of your salary to it, and your employer contributes too. The QPP is the base of your retirement allowance.

For Tier VI, you generally get your full benefit at 63 if you are vested. Starting April 1, 2026, you can also get it at 58 if you have at least 30 years of service credit and retire directly from service.

The TDA Program Is Your Extra Savings

The Tax-Deferred Annuity Program, or TDA, is a Section 403(b) plan. It lets you save extra money for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. TRS offers a traditional pre-tax TDA account and a separate Roth after-tax account, and you have to sign up for the Roth account on its own.

You can spread your TDA money across any mix of the TRS investment options, called the Passport Funds.

If you open a Roth account, it takes at least 30 days after you enroll before contributions come out of your pay. When you enroll, it is a good time to name a beneficiary and keep that choice current.

2026 Contribution Limits

For 2026, the IRS limit for 403(b) plans is $24,500. If you are 50 or older, you can generally add an $8,000 catch-up. If you are 60, 61, 62 or 63, that catch-up is $11,250 instead. TRS also notes a separate catch-up rule for certain members with 15 years of qualifying City service. For how any of this affects your taxes, check with your tax preparer.

Related Pages

• CUNY Employee Benefits
• How Your NYSTRS Pension Is Calculated (for teachers outside New York City)