By supporting local businesses, helping to create jobs and paying their fair share of taxes, NYSLRS retirees contribute to the economic health of our communities. And because NYSLRS provides a lifetime monthly benefit retirees can count on, pensions boost local economies in good times and bad, helping to build a stronger New York.
During 2023, approximately 79 percent of NYSLRS retirees and beneficiaries lived in NY and were responsible for $18.2 billion in economic activity.
Click on a region or see statewide impact.
Retirees Contribute Map
Retirees Contribute - Upper Hudson Valley
Retirees and beneficiaries: 40,734 (3.5% of the region’s population)
- Paid $257 million in property taxes (6.2% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $99 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent approximately $1.8 billion on goods and services, supporting 8,000 jobs.
Retirees Contribute - Southern Tier
Retirees and beneficiaries: 19,117 (4.6% of the region’s population)
- Paid $69 million in property taxes (7.4% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $34 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent $641 million on goods and services, supporting 2,700 jobs.
Retirees Contribute - North Country
Retirees and beneficiaries: 23,287 (5.6% of the region’s population)
- Paid $78 million in property taxes (8.3% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $38 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent $701 million on goods and services, supporting 2,700 jobs.
Retirees Contribute - New York City
Retirees and beneficiaries: 24,194 (0.3% of the region’s population)
- Paid $47 million in property taxes (0.2% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $66 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent approximately $1.1 billion on goods and services, supporting 4,900 jobs.
Retirees Contribute - Lower Hudson Valley
Retirees and beneficiaries: 24,687 (1.9% of the region’s population)
- Paid $245 million in property taxes (3.6% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $65 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent approximately $1.1 billion on goods and services, supporting 5,300 jobs.
Retirees Contribute - Long Island
Retirees and beneficiaries: 66,098 (2.3% of the region’s population)
- Paid $749 million in property taxes (5.3% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $191 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent approximately $3.3 billion on goods and services, supporting 18,800 jobs.
Retirees Contribute - Finger Lakes
Retirees and beneficiaries: 41,813 (3.3% of the region’s population)
- Paid $174 million in property taxes (5.5% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $72 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent approximately $1.3 billion on goods and services, supporting 7,000 jobs.
Retirees Contribute - Central New York
Retirees and beneficiaries: 44,583 (3.9% of the region’s population)
- Paid $165 million in property taxes (6.4% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $80 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent approximately $1.4 billion on goods and services, supporting 7,200 jobs.
Retirees Contribute - Capital District
Retirees and beneficiaries: 66,212 (5.9% of the region’s population)
- Paid $264 million in property taxes (9.3% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $124 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent approximately $2.4 billion on goods and services, supporting 11,900 jobs.
Retirees Contribute - Western New York
Retirees and beneficiaries: 59,246 (3.8% of the region’s population)
- Paid $203 million in property taxes (6.3% of the property taxes collected in the region).
- Generated $112 million in State and local sales tax.
- Spent approximately $2 billion on goods and services, supporting 9,800 jobs.
Note: Information is based on estimated figures.
Sources: 2024 NYSLRS Annual Comprehensive Financial Report; U.S. Census Bureau; OSC analysis.
