Form F241 at a glance
What it is: Application to Purchase Credit for Service Rendered Prior to Membership Date in NYCERS.
Where and when to file: Your buyback application must be filed before your retirement date and before you leave city service. Online: nycers.org | Phone: 347-643-3000 | Mail: 30-30 47th Ave., 10th Floor, LIC, NY 11101
Notary: This form must be acknowledged before a Notary Public or Commissioner of Deeds.
Tier 1 members: You are eligible to buy back full- or part-time New York City service rendered in a NYCERS-eligible title prior to your NYCERS membership.
Tier 2, 3, 4 and 6 members: You can buy back full- or part-time public service rendered within New York State prior to your NYCERS membership.
For the service you want to buy back, you must have been in a position that would have allowed you to join a public employee retirement system in New York State (regardless of whether you actually joined or not).
What to bring and attach to Form F241
In situations where NYCERS is unable to obtain the documents needed to verify your service and pay history, you are responsible for providing NYCERS with the following supporting documents.
Earnings Verification: Computer printout of payroll earnings or payroll earnings report; or W-2s; or Detailed Social Security earnings report that includes the employer (Note: The annual report is not acceptable because it does not include employer information).
Service Verification: Roster card; or Employment history provided by your employer. Note: A letter from your employer is not adequate - your agency must provide the roster card or full employment history.
A filled-in Form F241 example: a member lists one period of previous service
How to fill out Form F241, box by box
Member Information
Under Member Information, enter your Work Phone Number, Home/Cell Phone Number, Last 4 SSN and Member Number.
Enter your Last Name, M.I. and First Name.
Enter your Apt. Number, Address, Zip Code, State and City.
Your profile will be updated if the Address you enter differs from NYCERS' records.
Previous Service
Under Previous Service, for each period for which you would like to purchase credit for previous service, enter Start Date [MM/DD/YYY], End Date [MM/DD/YYY], Agency and Title.
Other Retirement System
Under Other Retirement System: if you are or were a member of another retirement system during the period(s) you are purchasing time for, please complete this section.
Under "I am currently a member of the retirement system checked below", check one box below.
Under "I was previously a member of the retirement system(s) checked below", check all that apply.
The retirement system boxes are NYC Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), NYC Police Pension Fund (PPF), NYC Fire Pension Fund (FPF) and NYC Board of Education Retirement System (BERS).
The other boxes are New York State & Local Employees' Retirement System (NYSLRS), New York State & Local Police & Fire Retirement System (NYSPFRS), New York State Teachers' Retirement System (NYSTRS) and TIAA - CREF or Voluntary Defined Contribution Program (VDC).
If you have a current membership with another New York City or State retirement system, that membership can only be transferred, not purchased. Please contact that system if you wish to transfer the service.
If you have a membership that has been terminated, you may be eligible for Membership/ Tier Reinstatement. Please see NYCERS Membership Reinstatement Brochure #905 and Membership/Tier Reinstatement Form #181 before submitting this form to determine if Membership/Tier Reinstatement is more beneficial than purchasing service.
Signing before a Notary Public or Commissioner of Deeds
This form must be acknowledged before a Notary Public or Commissioner of Deeds.
Enter the Date and the Signature of Member at SIGN.
The Notary Public or Commissioner of Deeds enters State of, County of, On this day of 20 and the Name, then enters the Signature of Notary Public or Commissioner of Deeds, Official Title and Expiration Date of Commission.
More rules for Form F241
You may purchase (buyback) previous service by either submitting this application or by applying online in your secure MyNYCERS account.
To avoid delays in processing your claim, please use only one method to apply for a particular period, not both.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions on page 4 and Buyback Brochure #901 before submitting this form.
When you apply for a buyback, NYCERS must verify both your earnings and service history for the period(s) of time you want to purchase.
Generally, NYCERS is able to obtain your pay and service records if the service you are purchasing was with the agencies listed and within the specified timeframe: Mayoral Agencies - Starting from February 1986; HHC - Starting from 1973 (1983 and 1986 are incomplete); Transit Authority - Starting from 1986 (1987 and 1988 are incomplete for certain titles); Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA), Department of Education (DOE), CUNY 4-year colleges - Most records can be obtained by NYCERS. If a record of your service history is not reflected in the list, or if you are buying back service with New York State, you are responsible for acquiring the information.
Please download Departmental Certificate of Status of Member Claiming Service Prior to Membership Date Form #242 and provide it to the appropriate agency's Human Resources Department for completion.
If you are buying back service with the New York Public Library (NYPL), call 1-800- 367-2884 or go to theworknumber.com and follow the “Employee” instructions to obtain employment and income verification.
If you are buying back service from 1974 to 1986 with the Mayoral Agencies, you may request the earnings records from the Office of Payroll Administration (OPA). Please complete a Request for Copies of Pay Statements, Checks, and Reports, available at nyc.gov/site/opa/ index.page and submit the form to FISA-OPA via Fax or Mail.
For more information, please see Buyback Brochure #901, available at nycers.org/buyback.
If you have any questions, or if you are unsure of the rules under your plan, please contact NYCERS' Call Center at (347) 643-3000 before you submit this application.
Common questions about Form F241
Is there a deadline?
Your buyback application must be filed before your retirement date and before you leave city service.
Where do I file it?
Online: nycers.org | Phone: 347-643-3000 | Mail: 30-30 47th Ave., 10th Floor, LIC, NY 11101
When is this form not the right one?
All Tiers: Service you may not buy back includes, but is not limited to: Work as a consultant for New York City or State; Work as a hearing officer for the Parking Violations Bureau; Work for a private company, the Federal government, or any government office outside of New York State; Work for which you were paid by a grant from New York City or State (such as a research foundation); Service that was covered by membership in TIAA-CREF or Voluntary Defined Contribution Program (VDC); Work as a DOE Custodial Assistant; MaBSTOA.
Sources
[1] Form F241 (August 2026), NYCERS (the Official source link on this page).