Once you join, there are five ways your membership can end:

• If you do not have at least five years of credited service (ten for Tier 5 and 6 members) and seven years have elapsed since you last worked for a participating public employer;
• If you are not vested, leave public employment and voluntarily withdraw your membership (and mandatory contributions, if applicable);
• If you transfer your membership to another New York State public retirement system;
• If you retire; or
• If you die.

“Public employment” means paid service as an officer or employee with an employer that participates in the New York State and Local Retirement System.