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Guides
Short, plain-language guides to the pieces of your NYC teacher retirement — your pension, TDA, CAR days, Social Security, and more. Every guide ties back to your free Retirement Roadmap.
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Health Insurance & Medicare
Medicare Part B Reimbursement: A Hidden NYC Retiree Perk
The City reimburses NYC retirees for their Medicare Part B premiums — real money most retirees can collect. Here is how it works, the recent amounts, and the one form higher earners must file.
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Health Insurance & Medicare
Retiree Health Coverage 101 for NYC Teachers
How health coverage works when you retire from NYC teaching: city-paid premiums, what changes at 65 with Medicare, and the UFT Welfare Fund extras. A plain-language starting point.
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Social Security
When to Claim Social Security: 62 vs 67 vs 70
NYC teachers pay into Social Security, so your claiming age is a real decision. Here is what claiming at 62, at full retirement age, and at 70 does to your monthly check.
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Social Security
The WEP/GPO Repeal: What It Actually Means for NYC Teachers
Congress repealed the WEP and GPO in 2025 — huge news for teachers nationwide. But because NYC teachers pay into Social Security, here is why it changes less than you might think, and exactly when it does matter for you.
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Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA)
What Happens to Your TDA When You Retire
You do not have to cash out your TDA at retirement — most teachers do not. Here are your options: defer, annuitize, or withdraw.
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CAR Days, Sick Leave & Terminal Leave
CAR Days Explained: What Your Unused Sick Time Is Worth
Every unused sick day banks into your CAR and turns into a real retirement payout. Here is how terminal leave works — and one common misconception.
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CAR Days, Sick Leave & Terminal Leave
How to Check Your CAR Day Balance
Your CAR balance turns into a retirement payout, so it pays to know it early. Here is where to find it and how to make sure it is right.
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Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA)
Roth vs Traditional TDA: Which Is Right for You?
Traditional or Roth TDA? The difference is all about when you pay the tax. Here is how NYC teachers can think about which fits.
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Retirement Timing & Eligibility
The Best Time of Year for NYC Teachers to Retire
Your effective retirement date can lock in a full year of service, a higher salary average, and smoother benefits. Here is what NYC teachers should weigh.
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Retirement Timing & Eligibility
55/25 vs 55/27: What's the Difference?
NYC's Age 55 Retirement Program comes in two versions — 55/25 and 55/27. Here's the difference, and how to tell which one applies to you.
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Pension Basics & TRS Tiers
How Your Final Average Salary Is Calculated
Final Average Salary is the number your whole pension is built on. Here is how TRS calculates it for NYC teachers — and how to make it work for you.
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Pension Basics & TRS Tiers
What TRS Tier Am I? A Quick Guide for NYC Teachers
Not sure if you're Tier IV or Tier VI? Here's how to find your NYC teacher pension tier in a minute — and what it means for your retirement age and pension.
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