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

• If you do not have at least five years of credited service and seven years have elapsed since you last worked for a participating public employer;
• If you leave public employment before you have ten years of credited service and voluntarily withdraw your contributions;
• If you transfer your membership to another public retirement system in New York State;
• 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.