In most cases, TRS issues payments two months after the online claim is filed AND the following are received: all required documentation and/or forms; the “Attestation and Notarization for Online Death Benefit Claim”; and any payment due.

In order for TRS to promptly respond to your inquiry, you should have the following information available when you contact TRS, or include this information when you send us correspondence: your TRS membership number, a phone number at which you can be reached during business hours, copies of correspondence you are questioning, and documentation to support your claim. If you are visiting TRS, you should also bring a photo ID that includes a signature. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license, state-issued non-driver's license identification, passport, or school ID; unacceptable forms of identification include a credit card or store card with a photo, gym card, or a library card.

A member's beneficiary (or representative) must first submit a certified or original death certificate for the member; (s)he must also submit a Claimant's Statement (code DB17) . We will inform them of additional documentation and forms they may have to file.

For more information, please see the Guide to Death Benefits for Beneficiaries of Retired Members or the Guide to Death Benefits for Beneficiaries of Non-Retired Members.

Tier III, IV and VI in-service members can file for retirement online. To file online, log in to the secure section of our website, go to E-Forms, and click on the Service Retirement link.

If you are a Tier I or Tier II in-service member, we suggest that you return your retirement application to TRS in person; that way, a TRS representative can check the application and ensure that it is completed correctly. You may also return your application to TRS by mail if you believe you have accurately completed it. However, please note that mistakes on applications can cause processing delays.

Once you register for access to the secure TRS website using the claim code provided in your notification letter, you will create a username and password and log in to the death benefit claim feature. The feature guides you through all required steps and includes an upload feature to submit required documentation and forms. After all the required online steps are completed, you will print a summary receipt for your records; you must also print the “Attestation and Notarization for Online Death Benefit Claim,” have it notarized, and return it to TRS.

If you are currently paid on the City of New York payroll through direct deposit for work in a position that entitles you to TRS membership: You will be automatically enrolled to receive your monthly benefit payments (including advance payments) via EFT. You do not need to do anything; these payments will be automatically deposited in your account via EFT. However, if you want your monthly benefit payments (including advance payments) to be deposited via EFT in a different account, you must file an EFT Election at Retirement Form (code BK66) .

If you are currently paid on the City of New York payroll through direct deposit for work in a position that does not entitle you to TRS membership (e.g., substitute or per diem teacher): You must file an EFT Election at Retirement Form if you want your monthly benefit payments (including advance payments) to be deposited via EFT.

If you do not want your monthly benefit payments paid via EFT: You must file an Opt Out of EFT at Retirement Form (code BK67) . (You may subsequently initiate EFT at any time by filing an EFT Authorization Form (code BK58) with TRS.)

Retiring TRS members who are not currently paid on the City of New York payroll through direct deposit MUST file either an EFT Election at Retirement Form or an Opt Out of EFT at Retirement Form in order to receive their advance and/or regular retirement allowance payments. Failure to file one of these forms would result in a delay in the payment of benefits.

These two forms are available on request from our Member Services Center (not from our website). Members who are retiring should speak with a Member Services Representative for more information about EFT.

Beneficiaries receiving a one-time lump-sum payment and/or continuing monthly benefits can initiate EFT in the online Death Benefit Claim feature

For more information, please see the Electronic Fund Transfer brochure.

In general, TRS will issue a duplicate lump-sum death benefit check within 15 business days after receiving the completed form.