For State fiscal year ending March 31, 2026
Instructions: Click on a button or a section of a pie chart to learn more.
About NYSLRS
The New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) is one of the largest retirement systems in the world, administering benefits for more than 1.2 million members, retirees and beneficiaries.
NYSLRS administers two distinct retirement systems. They are the:
ERS
Employees’ Retirement System
PFRS
Police and Fire Retirement System
Total NYSLRS Participants
Members
Our members range from police officers, firefighters, administrative staff, school aides, bus drivers, librarians, prison guards, nurses, scientists, auditors, accountants—you name it. There isn’t a New Yorker who isn’t touched by the work our members do throughout the State.
ERS
95% of members are in ERS. Here’s a breakdown by tier:
| Tier | Date of Membership | % of ERS Membership |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Before 7/1/1973 | < 0.1% |
| Tier 2 | 7/1/1973 – 7/26/1976 | < 0.1% |
| Tier 3 Tier 4 | 7/27/1976 – 8/31/1983 9/1/1983 – 12/31/2009 | 26.9% |
| Tier 5 | 1/1/2010 – 3/31/2012 | 3.6% |
| Tier 6 | On or after 4/1/2012 | 69.4% |
Note: The pie chart does not represent the 622 members in ERS Tier 1 and the 544 members in ERS Tier 2.
PFRS
5% of members are in PFRS. Here’s a breakdown by tier:
| Tier | Date of Membership | % of PFRS Membership |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Before 7/31/1973 | < 0.1% |
| Tier 2 | 7/31/1973 – 6/30/2009 | 30% |
| Tier 3 | 7/1/2009 – 1/8/2010 | 0.2% |
| Tier 5 | 1/9/2010 – 3/31/2012 | 4.9% |
| Tier 6 | On or after 4/1/2012 | 64.9% |
| There is no Tier 4 in PFRS | ||
Note: The pie chart does not represent the 8 members in PFRS Tier 1 and the 72 members in PFRS Tier 3.
Retirees & Beneficiaries
When our members retire, they rely on the guaranteed benefits they worked hard to earn.
Average Annual Pension
NYSLRS pensions ensure retirement income for public retirees.
ERS
Employees’ Retirement System
PFRS
Police and Fire Retirement System
Retirement and Death Benefits Paid
Over the past 20 years, approximately $230.1 billion was paid in pension and death benefits.
For FYE 2026, $17.5 billion was paid in benefits to 535,427 retirees and beneficiaries.
Economic Activity
For the approximately 79 percent of retirees and beneficiaries that stay here in the State, their pensions flow back into our local economies and help build a stronger New York. Learn more about how Retirees Contribute to New York State's Economy.
The Common Retirement Fund
The Common Retirement Fund (the Fund), which was valued at $294.4 billion as of March 31, 2026, holds and invests the money used to pay NYSLRS benefits. Since its establishment in 1921, the Fund has provided retirement security for generations of hard-working New Yorkers.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
Comptroller DiNapoli is the administrative head of NYSLRS and the sole trustee of the Fund.
- Serves in the best interests of NYSLRS members, retirees and beneficiaries.
- Ensures the different benefit programs offered by NYSLRS are managed properly and effectively.
- Responsible for the Fund's performance, oversight and management.
- Acts quickly to respond to market changes and to protect the Fund (enabled by the sole trustee model).
Sources of Income
The Fund has three main sources of income (assets).
Note: Data is for the 20-year period, April 1, 2006–March 31, 2026.
How Pensions Are Funded
The pension buck helps illustrate how NYSLRS pensions are funded—with the income from investments covering the majority of the cost. For every dollar NYSLRS pays in pension and death benefits:
Note: Data is for the 20-year period, April 1, 2006–March 31, 2026.
Source: 2026 NYSLRS Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Rev. 9/26