When you join the Retirement System, you are assigned to a tier depending on your date of membership.

Your tier determines:

• Your eligibility for service or disability retirement benefits;
• The formula used in the calculation of your benefits;
• Death benefit coverage;
• Service crediting; and
• Whether you must contribute toward your benefits.

If you joined the Employees’ Retirement System on or after April 1, 2012, you are in Tier 6.