To qualify for any of the state’s retirement benefit plans, you must meet service criteria that includes retirement age, service time or both. Individuals who do not meet these criteria are eligible to be paid the balance of their investment in a lump sum after they have gone at least five years without working in the teaching profession or switched to
project manager jobs. They can also withdraw the funds at any time thereafter. But they will not receive benefits other than the lump sum payment. Teachers have the option of not becoming members of the Teachers’ Retirement System.