Below, you’ll find retirement plan publications and general information guides covering key retirement topics. You can read these publications in your preferred language by using the Google Translate link at the top of the page.
Retirement Plan Publications
NYSLRS administers two distinct systems: the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS). Your system, tier and retirement plan determine your benefits.
The best way to find your specific retirement plan publication is to visit our Find Your NYSLRS Retirement Plan Publication page and follow the steps listed on the page.
You can also contact us for help finding your plan publication.
ERS Retirement Plans
ERS covers more than 650,000 workers from State and local governments and affiliated employers.
Tier 6 is now the largest NYSLRS member group and accounts for more than half of total membership. This Summary of Retirement Benefits for Tier 6 ERS Members offers a brief overview of benefits. Complete descriptions of retirement benefits are contained in the plan publications listed below.
We’ve arranged the plan publications below by tier, with a separate section covering special plans for miscellaneous titles.
ERS Tier 3, 4, 5 and 6 Retirement Plans
Tier 3 and 4 Members — Coordinated Plan (Articles 14 and 15)
Benefits available to Tier 3 and 4 members
(VO1522)
Tier 5 Members — Coordinated Plan (Article 15)
Benefits available to Tier 5 members
(VO1523)
Tier 6 Members — Coordinated Plan (Article 15)
Benefits available to Tier 6 members
(VO1530)
State Correction Officers and Security Hospital Treatment Assistants Plan
Benefits available to Tier 3, 5 and 6 members covered by Article 14-CO
(VO1526)
Sheriffs, Undersheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Plan
Benefits available to Tier 3, 4, 5 and 6 members covered by Article 14-B, Sections 551, 552 and 553
(VO1841)
ERS Tier 1 and 2 Retirement Plans
Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-h or 75-i
(VO1504)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-h or 75-i
(VO1509)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-f or 75-g
(VO1503)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-f or 75-g
(VO1508)
NYS Correction Officers and Security Hospital Treatment Assistants Plan
Benefits available to Tier 1 and 2 members in these positions covered by Section 89
(VO1525)
Sheriffs, Undersheriffs and Deputies Special Retirement Plans
Benefits available to Tier 1 and 2 members covered by Article 14-B, Sections 551, 552 and 553
(VO1840)
Legislative and Executive Retirement Plan
Benefits available to certain Tier 1 and 2 members in legislative service covered by Section 80-a
(VO1861)
Non-Contributory Plan with Guaranteed Benefits — Tier 1
Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-d or 75-e
(ZO1502)
Non-Contributory Plan with Guaranteed Benefits — Tier 2
Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-d or 75-e
(ZO1507)
Non-Contributory Plan — Tier 1
Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-c
(ZO1501)
Non-Contributory Plan — Tier 2
Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-c
(ZO1506)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 70-a, 71-a or 75
(ZO1500)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 70-a, 71-a or 75
(ZO1505)
ERS Special Retirement Plans for Miscellaneous Titles
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-h and 603(e)
(VO1809)
Broome County Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-m and 603(i)
(VO1805)
County Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers
Optional 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-p and 603(l)
(VO1832)
Detective Investigators in the Office of a District Attorney
Special 20-Year Plan under Sections 89-d and 89-d(m)
(VO1875)
Elmira District #1 Traffic Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-q and 603(m)
(VO1839)
Greene County Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-o and 603(k)
(VO1825)
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-t and 604(q)
(VO1873)
Jefferson County Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-j and 603(h)
(VO1808)
Monroe County Deputy Sheriffs-Jailors
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-n and 603(j)
(VO1820)
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-w and 603(s)
(VO1801)
Nassau County Police Department Ambulance Medical Technicians
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-s and 603(o)
(VO1868)
Nassau County Probation Department Peace Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-s and 603(o)
(VO1870)
Nassau County Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-g and 603(d)
(VO1813)
Onondaga County Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-k and 603(g)
(VO1807)
Orleans County Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-l and 603(g)
(VO1806)
Probation Department Peace Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-t and 603(p)
(VO1871)
St. Lawrence County Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-i and 603(f)
(VO1812)
Suffolk County Correction Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-f and 603(c)
(VO1811)
Suffolk County Park Police Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-r and 603(n)
(VO1855)
Suffolk County Probation Department Peace Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-s and 603-o
(VO1869)
Unified Court System Peace Officers
Special benefits for Tier 2, 3, 4 and 5 members
(VO1856)
Westchester County Correction Officers
Special 25-Year Plan under Sections 89-e and 603(b)
(VO1810)
PFRS Retirement Plans
PFRS covers more than 35,000 police officers and firefighters across the state.
Members who joined PFRS on or after April 1, 2012 are in Tier 6. This Summary of Retirement Benefits for Tier 6 PFRS Members offers a brief overview of benefits. Complete descriptions of retirement benefits are contained in the plan publications listed below.
We’ve arranged the plan publications in order of membership with the plans with the most members listed first.
Special 20- and 25-Year Retirement Plans
Benefits available to members covered by Sections 384, 384-d, and 384-e
(VO1517)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 381-b
(VO1518)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 383-d
Read more about the 2015 law pertaining to SUNY Police Officer pension benefits.
(VO1823)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 383-b
(VO1822)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 383-a
(VO1867)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 375-h or 375-i
(VO1515)
Article 14 PFRS Retirement Plan
Benefits for certain Tier 3 PFRS members who joined the Retirement System July 1, 2009 through January 8, 2010
(VO1644)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 375-b or 375-c
(ZO1512)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 383-c
(VO1864)
Non-Contributory Plan with Guaranteed Benefits
Benefits available to members covered by Section 375-e
(ZO1513)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 370-a, 371-a or 375
(ZO1511)
Benefits available to members covered by Section 375-f or 375-g
(VO1642)
General Interest Publications for Members
ERS Members
(ZO1835)
PFRS Members
(ZO1829)
Members of Both Retirement Systems (ERS and PFRS)
Partial Lump Sum (PLS) Payment at Retirement
Explains the option to receive a one-time lump sum payment at retirement, if eligible.
World Trade Center Presumption
For members involved in the Rescue Recovery or Clean Up Operations after September 11, 2001.
(VO1834)
Explains how your NYSLRS pension and other retirement benefits could be affected by a divorce.
Service Credit for Tiers 2 through 6
Explains the different types of service you can receive credit for Tier 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 members.
(VO1854)
Outlines steps you should take to financially prepare for retirement.
(VO1709)
Provides an overview of the benefits of Retirement System membership.
(VO1878)
Questions and answers about claiming credit for military service.
(VO1723)
Straight Talk About Financial Planning For Your Retirement
(VO1845)
The Survivor’s Benefit Program for New York State Management/Confidential Employees
(VO1660)
The Survivor’s Benefit Program for New York State Employees
(VO1655)
Applying for Disability Retirement
Information for members who may be filing for disability or want information about the disability retirement process.
(VO1802)
What If I Work After Retirement?
Explains how returning to employment after retirement could affect your retirement benefit.
(VO1648)
What If I Leave Public Employment?
Explains your rights if you leave public employment before retiring.
(VO1800)
Why Should I Designate a Beneficiary?
Explains the importance of beneficiary designations and how and why you should keep them up-to-date.
(VO1706)
Publications for Retirees
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
Explains the permanent annual COLA increase to your pension, how it’s determined, when you’ll be eligible, and this year’s COLA increase.
Explains the services we offer retirees and outlines retirees’ responsibilities.
(VO1705)
Getting Your Affairs in Order and A Guide for Survivors
(VO1874)
The Survivor’s Benefit Program for Retired New York State Employees
Explains the benefits available for survivors of retired NYS employees.
(VO1860)
What If I Work After Retirement?
Explains how returning to employment after retirement could affect your retirement benefit.
(VO1648)
Explains how your NYSLRS pension and other retirement benefits could be affected by a divorce.