Publications

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.

 


Tier 3, 4, 5 and 6 Members

 

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)

 

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Tier 1 and 2 Members

 

New Career Plan — Tier 1

Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-h or 75-i

(VO1504)

 

New Career Plan — Tier 2

Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-h or 75-i

(VO1509)

 

Career Plan — Tier 1

Benefits available to members covered by Section 75-f or 75-g

(VO1503)

 

Career Plan — Tier 2

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)

 

Basic Plan — Tier 1

Benefits available to members covered by Section 70-a, 71-a or 75

(ZO1500)

 

Basic Plan — Tier 2

Benefits available to members covered by Section 70-a, 71-a or 75

(ZO1505)

 

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Special Plans for Miscellaneous Titles

 

Albany County Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs, Correction Officers and Identification Officers

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)

 

Institutional Safety Officers

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)

 

Nassau County Fire Marshals

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)

 

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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)

 

State Police

Benefits available to members covered by Section 381-b

(VO1518)

 

State University Police Plan

Benefits available to members covered by Section 383-d

Read more about the 2015 law pertaining to SUNY Police Officer pension benefits.

(VO1823)

 

En-Con Police Officers

Benefits available to members covered by Section 383-b

(VO1822)

 

Regional State Park Police

Benefits available to members covered by Section 383-a

(VO1867)

 

New Career Plan

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)

 

Non-Contributory Plan

Benefits available to members covered by Section 375-b or 375-c

(ZO1512)

 

Forest Rangers

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)

 

Basic Plan

Benefits available to members covered by Section 370-a, 371-a or 375

(ZO1511)

 

Career Plan

Benefits available to members covered by Section 375-f or 375-g

(VO1642)

 

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General Interest Publications for Members


ERS Members

Your Retirement Benefits Book

(ZO1835)

 

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PFRS Members

Your Retirement Benefits Book

(ZO1829)

 

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Members of Both Retirement Systems (ERS and PFRS)

 

Partial Lump Sum (PLS) Payment at Retirement

For eligible Retirement System members.

 

World Trade Center Presumption

For members involved in the Rescue Recovery or Clean Up Operations after September 11, 2001.

(VO1834)

 

Divorce, Equitable Distribution and the Retirement System

For members going through a separation or divorce, our FAQs may be of help.

 

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)

 

How Do I Prepare to Retire?

Outlines steps you should take to financially prepare for retirement.

(VO1709)

 

Membership in a Nutshell

Provides an overview of the benefits of Retirement System membership.

(VO1878)

 

Military Service Credit

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)

 

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Publications for Retirees and Members Preparing to Retire


 

Permanent COLA

An explanation of cost-of-living adjustments for retirees.

(VO1863)

 

A Guide for Retirees

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)

 

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