Permanent, full-time employees of employers that participate in the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) must become members of the Retirement System.

Under any of the following four scenarios, however, membership is optional:

• You are appointed to a temporary or provisional position;
• You work less than 30 hours per week, or less than the standard number of hours for full-time employment as established by your employer for your position;
• Your job is supposed to last for less than one year, or you work on a less-than-12-months-per-year basis; or
• Your annual earnings are less than New York State’s minimum wage, multiplied by 2,000 hours.

To join NYSLRS, optional members must complete an enrollment form, which their employer files with the Office of the State Comptroller.