David Kazansky's Pension Page

06/08/2026

If you're a NYC DOE paraprofessional who retired on an Accident Disability, LISTEN UP!

TRS has begun notifying some retired paras that they may have been overpaid for years and that their benefit could be reduced going forward. And what's worse is that these retired paras are also being asked to repay much of the money they received since they retired.

If you're affected, ask TRS to have your case reviewed by the Cost Recovery Committee and explore every available option before agreeing to a repayment plan. You may even want to seek legal assistance.

No one should have to face a financial shock years after making a retirement decision based on the information they were given.

06/04/2026

Join me on Tuesday, June 16 at 5PM for a free online workshop where I'll break down the new Tier 6 law, explain what it means for TRS members, and answer your Tier 6 questions.

Space is limited to 300 participants, so register early.

This workshop is for active in-service Tier 6 TRS members only.

Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WhW7s8P2R6Cz_zi1ADn40w

06/03/2026

ELECTION UPDATE!

06/02/2026

DO YOU KNOW what happens to your outstanding loans if you leave the DOE before you're vested?

If you have a TRS pension (QPP) loan or TDA loan, you may have only 30 days after resigning or terminating employment to repay it. If you don't, the loan may default, creating a taxable event and potentially triggering IRS penalties.

If you immediately begin employment with another participating NYC or NYS employer and join that retirement system, you may be able to transfer your QPP loan. TDA loan transfers are limited only to BERS.

Before you leave, make sure you understand your options and avoid an expensive surprise.

06/01/2026

DID YOU KNOW? If you're vested in TRS and leave the DOE, your pension doesn't disappear. Being vested means that you retain your TRS membership and can collect your pension when you are age-eligible. If you come back to the DOE, you rejoin TRS and pick up where you left off when you separated from service.

If you become an employee of another NYC or NYS public employer, you can transfer your status to that public retirement system.

And if you are vested with fewer than 10 years of service, you also have the option of withdrawing your pension contributions and end your membership with TRS. But if you do that, you have to take the TDA as well.

Make sure you understand all of your options before making a decision when resigning or being terminated.

05/28/2026

Tier 6 changes are finally final!

THE GOOD NEWS: Tier 6 members in NYCTRS and NYSTRS can now retire at 58 with 30 years of service and avoid the massive early retirement penalty.

THE BAD NEWS: No reduction in member contribution rates for NYCTRS and NYSTRS members and no other meaningful improvements to Tier 6.

THE OTHER NEWS: The law allows NYC to re-amortize pension payments over 12 years instead of paying them off sooner, pending approval from the NYC pension systems.

I’m creating a workshop on the changes and how they affect (or don’t affect) Tier 6 members. Keep checking my socials for the date.

05/27/2026

Not done counting! TRS election results now scheduled for June 2. STAY TUNED!

05/27/2026

Who do I need to speak with to make every school week only Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday?

Send a message to learn more