Member Tiers

As a result of legislative changes to NHRS statutes in 2011, benefit eligibility, pension calculations, and whether certain types of pay are reportable to NHRS vary based on a member’s vested date or hire date.

Different benefit provisions are applicable to:

  • Tier A: Members vested prior to 1/1/2012
  • Tier B: Members in service prior to 7/1/2011 but not vested prior to 1/1/2012
  • Tier C: Members hired on/after 7/1/2011
  • Tier B+ for Group II Members (Police and Fire): Group II member in service prior to 7/1/2011 and has met Tier B+ Eligibility Date.
           Tier B+ Eligibility Dates:  
           Member Vesting Date          Tier B+ Eligibility Date
           January 1, 2013          January 1, 2026
           January 1, 2014          July 1, 2026
           January 1, 2015          July 1, 2027
           January 1, 2016          July 1, 2028
           January 1, 2017          July 1, 2029
           January 1, 2018          July 1, 2030
           January 1, 2019          July 1, 2031
           January 1, 2020          July 1, 2032
           January 1, 2021          July 1, 2033
           January 1, 2022          July 1, 2034

Note: There are a small number of members hired on/after 7/1/11 who became vested by age prior to 1/1/12. These members are considered Tier A/C.

Here are some examples of how tiers work:

  • A police officer who commenced service on 2/15/03 is Group II, Tier B
  • An employee who commenced service on 8/17/87 and was vested on 1/1/12 is Group I, Tier A
  • A teacher who commenced service on 9/1/11 is Group I, Tier C