Change Your Mind, or Plans? Here’s How to Withdraw a NYSLRS Retirement Application

Even though you’ve been preparing for retirement, sometimes certain life events happen and you may find yourself in a position where you just aren’t ready to retire. In some cases, this can happen right after you’ve already filed your NYSLRS retirement application. Don’t panic – you can pull your retirement application at any time before your retirement date.

How Can I Stop a Retirement Application I’ve Already Submitted?

To withdraw your application, you can either submit the Withdrawal of Application for Service Retirement (RS6354) form or send us a signed letter indicating you wish to withdraw your retirement application. Please include your name, address and registration number and/or the last four digits of your Social Security number in your letter.

Filing Forms with the Comptroller

Filing a form to withdraw your service retirement application is just like filing a form to apply for a service retirement. For any form to be considered “filed with the Comptroller,” it must be received by:

We will consider a form filed on the day you deliver it personally or when the Post Office delivers it to us. If you are concerned about meeting a deadline, you can mail the document via “Certified Mail – Return Receipt Requested” and we will consider it filed on the date it was mailed. You can also send the document to us via fax, but you must still mail us the original to meet the filing requirement. Please see our Contact Us page for more information.

Please keep in mind that if your retirement withdrawal is filed on or after your effective date of retirement, it is invalid and you will be officially retired.

When We Receive Your Retirement Withdrawal

Once we receive your request to withdraw your retirement application, we’ll send you an acknowledgment letter and also notify your employer, but we strongly encourage you to let your employer know immediately of your decision. That will help you and your employer avoid any unnecessary termination processing.

When Your Circumstances Change

When you’re ready to retire, you’ll need to file a new Application for Service Retirement (RS6037) form. Your application must be on file with us at least 15 days, but not more than 90 days, before your new retirement date.

Contact us if you have any questions about withdrawing your retirement application or any other retirement-related topic you might have.

15 thoughts on “Change Your Mind, or Plans? Here’s How to Withdraw a NYSLRS Retirement Application

    1. NYSLRS

      For current processing times, please email our customer service representatives using the secure email form on our website (http://www.emailNYSLRS.com). One of them will review your account and respond to your questions. Filling out the secure form allows them to safely contact you about your personal account information.

      You can visit our website to find general information about withdrawing your NYSLRS membership and receiving a refund of your contributions.

      Reply
  1. Margaret Melden-Sharpe

    can i change my retirement date on-line by updating my on-line application, or do i have submit a withdrawal form & re-apply… my anticipated change of date is within 90 days. currently i have a may 30 retirement date , but would like to extend it to ear;y to mid july

    Reply
    1. NYSLRS

      If you applied for retirement using Retirement Online, you can change your retirement date online.

      On your Retirement Online account homepage, scroll down to the My Account Summary section and click the button titled Update My Retirement Application to get started.  

      NYSLRS must receive your amended application before your current retirement date.

      Reply
    1. NYSLRS

      You can’t apply for a NYSLRS pension more than 90 days before your retirement date. If you wish to change a proposed retirement date you gave to your employer, please speak to your employer.

      When you are ready to retire, you can apply using Retirement Online. You may also wish to read our booklet How Do I Prepare to Retire?

      Reply
  2. BRYAN KNOX

    I WAS NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO WITHDRAW MY RETIREMENT DATE EVEN THOUGH THE NYSLRS KNEW WHAT MY CIRCUMSTANCES WERE I HAD A STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT WITH MY EMPLOYER,OTHER ISSUES WITH MY RETIREMENT APP WERE ALTERED OR CHANGED DUE TO THE CHANGE IN EVENTS.I AM NOW BEING TOLD BY THE NYSLR THAT I WILL BE LOSING 27 MONTHS OF BACK PENSION PAY 80,000$.THERE IS MORE THIS IS UNFAIR

    TY

    Reply
  3. MK

    My question is, if you are not vested when leaving state service and want to withdraw your money from the pension and roll it over to another employer’s 401k, do you need to withdraw all of your funds at once, or can you withdraw half in one calendar year and then the other half in the next year.

    Reply
  4. TRACY J LIGOURI

    Can I change my pension distribution options after I have submitted my retirement application but before distributions have begun?

    Reply
    1. NYSLRS

      You have up to 30 days after your pension benefit becomes payable to change your selection.

      We recommend that you speak to a customer service representative about your specific situation before you apply to retire. A representative can walk you through the process and send you a pension projection so that you can get an idea of what your distribution options are before you apply.

      Please email them using our secure email form. One of our representatives will review your account and respond to your questions. Filling out the secure form allows us to safely contact you about your personal account information.

      Reply
  5. Chris Hartigan

    4 years ago I started the process of getting credit from the city of Albany towards my retirement. I just got a letter stating that they lost my paperwork due to water damage and fading. Totally not fare

    Reply
    1. NYSLRS Post author

      In cases like yours, where your employer’s records are unavailable, we will also accept documents such as W-2 forms from your tax returns, or Social Security earnings records.

      You can request a “non-certified detailed (itemized) earnings statement” directly from the Social Security Administration (SSA) by completing form SSA-7050-F4. The form is also available from your local SSA office or by calling 1-800-772-1213. (We cannot request the information for you.) Your detailed (itemized) earnings records include the names of your employers and your quarterly earnings for each year requested.

      There is, however, a charge to receive this information from SSA. We recommend that you first email our customer service representatives using our secure email form (http://www.emailNYSLRS.com), and one of our representatives can review the status of your service credit request and address your questions. Filling out the secure form allows us to safely contact you about your personal account information. Please allow five to seven business days for a response.

      Reply
    1. NYSLRS

      Than,

      You can change your address by completing the Change of Address Notification form provided on Page 7 of your Member Annual Statement. Otherwise, if you’re an active member, you can also complete our Change of Address Form (RS5512) and return it to us.

      If you are retired, you may change your address using our automated phone system, by calling us toll-free at 1-866-805-0990 (or 518-474-7736 within the Albany, New York area). Once connected, press 2, then 6, then 1.

      If your new address includes a PO Box or a location outside of the United States, you must send a signed letter to:
      NYSLRS
      110 State Street
      Albany, NY 12244

      We hope this information helps,

      NYSLRS

      Reply

Leave a Reply