Your Membership and Benefits

MAP YOUR PROGRESS TOWARD RETIREMENT

It’s important to understand how your membership works and the benefits you are entitled to receive.

Membership Basics

Your Tier

When you joined NYSLRS, you were assigned to one of six tiers based on your date of membership and retirement system.

Member Contributions

Most members must contribute a percentage of their earnings toward retirement. Member contributions depend on your tier.

Service Credit

Service credit determines your eligibility for disability benefits, death benefits and loans. It’s also a major factor in calculating your pension benefit. You may be able to request additional service credit if you worked for your current or another public employer before joining NYSLRS or if you served in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge from active military duty. If you were a member of NYSLRS or another New York State public retirement system before your current membership in NYSLRS, you may be eligible to transfer or reinstate your previous membership.

Vesting

You will have enough service to qualify for a pension benefit (you will be vested) with five years of service.

Your Benefits

Death Benefits

If you die before retiring, your beneficiaries may be eligible for a death benefit, so it’s important to periodically view and update your beneficiaries.

Disability Benefits

Members who are permanently disabled and cannot perform their duties because of a physical or mental condition may be eligible for a disability retirement benefit.

Loans

If you have at least one year of service credit and meet other eligibility retirements, you can apply for a NYSLRS loan and borrow against your retirement contributions.

Resources

Know Your Milestones

Membership Milestones for ERS Members

Membership milestones for PFRS Members

Find Your Retirement Plan Publication

Your retirement plan publication provides comprehensive information about your benefits and how your pension will be calculated. Find your retirement plan publication and bookmark the link so you can refer to it throughout your career and ensure you have the most current information.