Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) Information

Teach & Retire Program representatives and volunteers are not employed by the State of NJ nor school districts. This information is provided for your convenience. Click this link to visit the NJDPB website for the most updated information.

Enrollment Information

Retirement System Eligibility and Enrollment Information

Detailed information can be found here:

• Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund Member Guidebook
• Veteran Status Fact Sheet
• Enrollment Requirements by Membership Tier (PERS and TPAF)

Transfer Information

Intrafund Transfers

An Intrafund Transfer (also known as a Report of Transfer) happens when you stop working for one employer and are hired by a new employer in a job that falls under the same retirement system. You continue to contribute to and earn service credit in the same account.

To be eligible for an Intrafund Transfer:

• You must not have withdrawn from the TPAF; and
• It must be less than two consecutive years since your last pension contribution; and
• You must meet all the eligibility requirements of the TPAF with the new employer.

Tier-to-Tier Transfer

If there has been a break in service of more than two years since your last pension contribution, you cannot contribute to your prior TPAF account. An application will be submitted to enroll you in a new TPAF account under the membership tier in effect at the time you return to TPAF employment.

However, if you are vested in your prior, inactive TPAF account, you may be able to transfer your old account to your new one. This type of transfer is called a “Tier-to-Tier Transfer.” The member must submit a Tier-to-Tier Transfer Form at the time of enrollment. It is important to note that by submitting a Tier-to-Tier Transfer, you waive all rights to retirement benefits under the original account.

Additional rules and restrictions apply to Intrafund Transfers.

See the TPAF Guidebook for detailed information.

Intrafund Transfer Forms

• Report of Transfer Form
• Tier-to-Tier Transfer Form

Interfund Transfers

An Interfund Transferhappens when you start a new job that falls under a different retirement system. This can be with the same employer or a new one. Your contributions and service credit are transferred from the former retirement system to the new one.

To be eligible for an Interfund Transfer:

• You must not have withdrawn from the retirement system; and
• It must be less than two consecutive years since your last pension contribution; and
• You must meet all the eligibility requirements for the new retirement system with the new job; and
• You must complete the Application for Interfund Transfer within 30 days of the date you meet the eligibility requirements for the new retirement system.

Additional rules and restrictions apply to Interfund Transfers.

See the retirement system Member Guidebooks for detailed information.