Retirement Benefit Summary
for Tier 6 Employees’ Retirement System Members
Welcome to the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS). NYSLRS is made up of two retirement systems; you are in the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS). This summary is designed to help you understand your ERS retirement benefits and become familiar with the services we offer.
Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is the administrative head of NYSLRS and trustee of the Common Retirement Fund
Your Retirement Plan
We strongly encourage you to review your retirement plan publication for a complete description of your benefits. Visit our Find Your Retirement Plan Publication page and follow the steps listed. You can also request your plan publication using our secure contact form.
About Your Membership
Full-time, permanent, 12-month employees of New York State or a participating employer are automatically enrolled in ERS. Employers are responsible for enrolling new employees into ERS when their employment begins. For employees whose membership is optional, your employer must inform you of the right to membership and offer the option to join.
Your Tier
When you join ERS, you are assigned to a tier based on your date of membership. ERS members who joined on or after April 1, 2012 are in Tier 6. Your tier determines:
- Your eligibility for service or disability retirement benefits;
- The formula used to calculate your pension benefits;
- Death benefit coverage;
- Your membership contributions; and
- Eligibility for loans from the Retirement System.
Contributions
You are required to contribute a specific percentage of your gross reportable earnings for all your years of public service after your date of membership (except State Correction Officers, whose contributions are limited to 30 years).
During your first three years of membership, your contribution rate is based on your annual wage, as provided by your employer at enrollment (see the table). For part-time employees, your rate is based on an annualized wage, also provided by your employer, but your contribution amount is determined by applying your rate to your actual earnings. After three years, your contribution rate is based on what you actually earned in all public employment two years prior. Contribution rates are set on April 1 of each year.
| Annual Wage | Contribution Rate |
|---|---|
| $45,000 or less | 3.00% |
| $45,000.01 to $55,000 | 3.50% |
| $55,000.01 to $75,000 | 4.50% |
| $75,000.01 to $100,000 | 5.75% |
| More than $100,000 | 6.00% |
Service Retirement Benefit
As a Tier 6 member, you will be vested once you have five years of credited service. This means you are entitled to a retirement benefit even if you leave public employment before you are old enough to retire. Most Tier 6 members are eligible for a service retirement benefit at age 63, or they can choose to retire as early as age 55 with a reduced benefit. Most correction officers and security hospital treatment assistants are in special plans that allow them to retire after completing 25 years of creditable service, regardless of age. Most sheriffs are in 20-year plans.
The amount of your benefit will be based on your retirement plan, service credit, final average earnings and, for most members, your age. Your retirement benefit is a pension that is payable to you for your lifetime. It may also provide a payment to a beneficiary after your death, depending on the pension payment option you choose at retirement. Please refer to your retirement plan publication for more information.
Service Credit
You receive retirement service credit for your public employment (paid service as an employee or officer of an employer that participates in ERS). One year of full-time employment is the same as one year of retirement service credit. Part-time service is prorated.
Final Average Earnings
Your Final Average Earnings (FAE) will be the average of your highest three consecutive years of earnings in New York public employment, subject to certain limitations. Usually, this period is the three years of employment immediately before you retire, but it can occur at any time during your career.
For a complete explanation of how your FAE is determined, including limitations on earnings and overtime and payments that can be included, please review your retirement plan publication.
Disability Retirement Benefit
If you become unable to perform your duties because of a permanent physical or mental incapacity, you may be eligible for a disability retirement benefit — a lifetime pension based on your FAE, service credit and age at retirement. If your disability results from an on-the-job accident, not due to your own negligence, no minimum amount of service credit is required; otherwise, you must have ten years of service credit to qualify. There are also specific filing requirements that must be met.
Death Benefits
If you die while you are in public service, your beneficiary may be entitled to a death benefit payment. If your death is due to an on-the-job accident, no minimum amount of service credit is required. Otherwise, most members in regular plans are eligible after one year of service, and some members in special plans are eligible after 90 days of service. Your member contributions, plus interest, are also payable to your beneficiary.
If you leave public employment with at least ten years of service credit, 50 percent of the ordinary death benefit may still be payable. If you die after retirement, your beneficiary may be entitled to a post-retirement death benefit payment.
Receiving Benefits
You must apply to receive Retirement System benefits. They are not paid automatically. To apply, file the appropriate application with the Office of the State Comptroller in a timely manner.
The Retirement System can only pay benefits that are authorized by law. If you do not meet all the filing and eligibility requirements established by law, you will not receive a benefit. If you apply for a benefit and believe it was incorrectly denied or improperly calculated, you may request a hearing and redetermination to be held before an independent hearing officer.
Note: Under the New York State Constitution and the Public Integrity Reform Act, members convicted of a felony related to their public service may have their retirement benefits reduced or revoked.
Retirement Online
Retirement Online is the fastest, most convenient way to review your benefits and manage your account. In many cases, you can use Retirement Online instead of mailing forms or calling. You can view your benefit information, update contact information, view and update beneficiaries, apply for a loan, estimate your pension, request to purchase service credit, apply for retirement and more. Learn more about Retirement Online, then take a few moments to create your new account.
Stay Informed
- Visit our Members page for the most up-to-date NYSLRS information and retirement planning tools.
- Sign up for E-News, our monthly email newsletter, for the latest retirement news.
- Subscribe to our blog, New York Retirement News, where you’ll find tools to help you understand your benefits and important retirement news.
- Like us on Facebook for quick tips and updates on a variety of retirement topics.
How to Contact Us
- Review commonly asked questions on our Contact Us page.
- Send a message using our secure contact form.
- Call our Contact Center toll-free at 866-805-0990.
- Write to us at:
NYSLRS
110 State Street
Albany, NY 12244-0001
Rev. 7/24