For the full retirement benefit, you must be 62 years old at retirement or, if you have 30 years of credited service, you may retire as early as age 55. Service retirement applications, for example, must be on file at least 15 days but not more than 90 days before the employee's chosen date of retirement.A new law (Chapter 18 of the Laws of 2012) was enacted amending the retirement benefits of public employees who established membership in a public employee. Under Section 211 of the state's. Pension plan rules, costs, rights, and retirement benefits for NYC employees vary from plan to plan. Retiring TRS members who are NOT currently paid on the City of New York payroll through direct deposit MUST file either an "EFT Election at. All public school teachers and teaching assistants in New York belong to the state Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), except those who teach in New York City. Apply for your monthly retirement benefit any time between age 62 and 70. Regulations prohibit you from electing to have no federal tax withheld from your retirement benefits. See if you're eligible.