Tell Albany No More Tricks. Fix Tier Six in 2026!
Calling on Unity to Fix Tier 6 in 2026
With our collective strength, we’ve delivered victory after victory for our members. We’ve won on class size. We’ve won on healthcare. And although we’ve made real gains on the Tier 6 front, the fight to fully fix Tier 6 continues.
This Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 1 p.m., the UFT is launching the next phase of this campaign — and every Unity member needs to register and take part.
The Unity Caucus must be at the center of this struggle, because when we lead, real progress happens. When we step back, nothing changes.
How We Got Here
In March 2012, Andrew Cuomo and the Republican-led State Senate pushed Tier 6 through in a late-night session that blindsided working people across New York State.
Tier 6 raised the retirement age from 55 to 63, increased contribution rates, and weakened pension calculations in ways that destabilized retirement security for a generation of educators. Through persistent organizing, Unity has clawed back significant gains. We restored the Final Average Salary calculation from five years back to the Tier 4 standard of three years, and we lowered the vesting requirement from ten years to five. These victories only happened because Unity organized, fought, and refused to accept injustice.
But there is still more to do.
Kickoff Meeting: Your Role in the Fight
Unity has already proven that major victories are possible. But the final phase of this fight will take all of us.
All Unity Caucus members are urged to register for the UFT’s one-hour Virtual campaign kickoff meeting on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Noon.
At this kickoff you will hear:
• Our statewide campaign strategy to win in 2026
• Updates from our UFT Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer
• UFT President Michael Mulgrew on how we mobilize and apply real pressure
This is the moment to step forward. This is the moment to show Albany that we will no longer accept half-measures, delays, or excuses.
2026 Is the Year
With Unity at the helm, 2026 will be the year we finally Fix Tier 6.
In Unity