As a NYSLRS member, your beneficiaries may be entitled to receive a death benefit after you die. When you became a NYSLRS member, you should have named a beneficiary or beneficiaries. Your beneficiary information is listed in your Retirement Online account and on your Member Annual Statement. Be sure to keep your beneficiaries and their contact information up to date.
When you die, your survivors should contact us as soon as possible. Survivors can report the death of a member using our online death report form or they can call 866-805-0990 and press 3 then 1. We’ll also need a certified death certificate. After we receive the death certificate, we’ll mail information about death benefits, and any needed forms, to your beneficiaries. For more information, read Getting Your Affairs in Order and A Guide for Survivors.
If you are retired, please see the Death Benefits — Retirees page.
Review Your Retirement Plan Publication
The death benefits that may be available to your beneficiaries depend on your retirement plan and tier. Refer to your retirement plan publication for specific information about the benefits described below. Using our Find Your NYSLRS Retirement Plan Publication tool can help.
Ordinary Death Benefit
If you have at least one year of service credit and die while in active service, and your death is not the result of an on-the-job accident, your beneficiary may be entitled to an ordinary death benefit. Up to $50,000 of this benefit is paid in the form of group term life insurance, which is exempt from federal income tax. Your accumulated contributions (if any) are also payable to your beneficiary.
| Retirement System and Tier | Ordinary Death Benefit |
|---|---|
|
Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Tiers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 |
Your last year’s earnings multiplied by your years of service credit, not to exceed three years’ earnings. If you are in service, the benefit is reduced 4 percent per year starting at the age of 62 (63 for Tier 6 members) but cannot be reduced below 60 percent of the original benefit payable. The earnings are limited by Section 130 of the Civil Service Law. Certain other earnings limitations may also apply. |
|
ERS Tiers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Correction Officers |
Three times your earnings raised to the next highest multiple of $1,000. The earnings are limited by Section 130 of the Civil Service Law. Certain other earnings limitations may also apply. |
|
Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) Tiers 2, 3, 5 and 6 in regular plans (Article 11 benefits) |
Your earnings multiplied by your years of service credit, not to exceed three years’ earnings. If you are in service, the benefit is reduced 3 percent per year starting at the age of 62 (63 for Tier 6 members) but cannot be reduced below 70 percent of the original benefit payable. The earnings are limited by Section 130 of the Civil Service Law. Certain other earnings limitations may also apply. |
|
PFRS Tiers 2, 3, 5 and 6 in special 20- or 25-year plans |
Three times your last year’s earnings raised to the next highest multiple of $1,000. |
|
PFRS Tier 3 with Article 14 benefits |
Three times your last year’s earnings raised to the next highest multiple of $1,000. |
If you are a Tier 1 member, please review your retirement plan publication for ordinary death benefits information.
Accidental Death Benefit
An accidental death benefit may be available to certain beneficiaries if your death is a result of an on-the-job accident. The accidental death benefit is a pension payable to your spouse. Other beneficiaries, as specified by law, may be eligible if there is no spouse. Please review your retirement plan publication for details about eligible beneficiaries.
| Retirement System and Tier | Accidental Death Benefit |
|---|---|
| ERS Tiers 1 and 2 | A pension equal to 50 percent of your Final Average Earnings (FAE) reduced by the amount of any Workers’ Compensation benefit paid or payable on account of your death. |
| ERS Tier 3 | A pension equal to 50 percent of your FAE. Each April, the benefit may change based on the amount of the increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index, or by 3 percent, whichever is less. The benefit will never be reduced below the amount initially paid. |
| ERS Tiers 4, 5 and 6 | A pension equal to 50 percent of your earnings during your last year of active service. |
| PFRS Tier 2, 3 (with Article 11 benefits), 5 and 6 | A pension equal to 50 percent of your FAE reduced by the amount of any Workers’ Compensation benefit paid or payable on account of your death. |
| PFRS Tier 3 with Article 14 benefits | A pension equal to 50 percent of your FAE. Each April, the benefit may change depending on the amount of the increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index, or by 3 percent, whichever is less. The benefit will never be reduced below the amount initially paid. |
Special Accidental Death Benefit
If you are a PFRS Tier 1, 2, 5 or 6 member, or a PFRS Tier 3 member with Article 11 benefits, and you die under circumstances that permit payment of an accidental death benefit, a special accidental death benefit may also be payable.
The Survivor’s Benefit Program
The Survivor’s Benefit Program for New York State employees supplements the ordinary death benefit payment from your retirement system if that payment is less than one-half of your annual salary or if you do not qualify for an ordinary death benefit payment. The maximum total amount payable to your beneficiary cannot exceed $10,000.
Rev. 3/23