When we first launched Retirement Online, we were proud to provide our members and retirees a new, convenient way to review their benefit information and do business with NYSLRS. But as a result of recent upgrades, Retirement Online now offers a variety of time-saving features that make doing business from home a snap.
What Can You Do in Retirement Online?
Retirement Online gives you an easy and secure way to review your NYSLRS benefit information and conduct transactions in real time. In many cases, you can use Retirement Online instead of sending forms through the mail or calling NYSLRS. Here’s a quick look at some of its features:
- Update Contact Information
Do you have a new mailing address, email address or phone number? Make sure NYSLRS can get in touch with you by updating your contact information. - Update Your Beneficiary Information
You can designate beneficiaries for your death benefits, and also make updates to existing beneficiaries. - Create a Pension Verification Letter or Mortgage Letter
If you’re a retiree and need to provide proof of your retirement income, you can generate and print an income verification letter from your account. If you’re a member and need to verify your retirement account information, you can generate and print a mortgage letter when you need it. - Update Your Last Name
If you changed your last name recently, you can change it online instead of submitting a Name Change form. - Change Your Correspondence Preference
Would you prefer to receive emails from NYSLRS instead of mail? You can update your correspondence preference and receive an email notification from NYSLRS whenever we have updated information to send you. (Please note that some information, such as tax forms, will be sent by mail for security purposes.) - Estimate Your Pension (Members Only)
You can estimate your pension benefit based on up-to-date account information, then save or print the estimate for your records. - Manage Loan and Service Credit Payments (Members Only)
Need to pay back a loan or purchase service credit? You can adjust your payment amount or make a lump sum payment. - Apply for Retirement
Ready to retire? You can file your service retirement application right from home. - Apply for a Loan (Members Only)
Eligible members can apply online to take a loan out against their NYSLRS contributions.
If you don’t already have a Retirement Online account, sign up today. If you need help with Retirement Online, please refer to our Retirement Online Tools and Tips blog post.
WE are distressed by the failure of the system to accurately reflect earning history for Community College employees. We were designated with a new Location code; and the earnings history WILL NOT show a second record with earnings that were reported under the old location code. (as part of our County). Employees are worried by this; and we have written to our Rep several times. NO reply and NO resolution. VERY poor service.
We apologize for the trouble you’re having. Your message is important to us and we have sent you a private message in response.
in 2016, after 9 years of working for NYS, I became permanently disabled. I am 54. When can I start to draw whatever small pension I have coming?
Most vested NYSLRS members can start collecting a pension at age 55, but their pensions may be reduced if they retire before full retirement age. For Tier 2-5 members, full retirement age is 62.
Most members can use the benefit calculator in Retirement Online to estimate their pensions using information NYSLRS has on file for you. Sign in to your account, go to the My Account Summary area of your Account Homepage and click the “Estimate my Pension Benefit“ button. If you don’t already have an account, go to the Sign In page and click the “Sign Up” link under the Customer Sign In button.
You can also apply for retirement using Retirement Online or complete and submit a paper retirement application.
If you have account-specific questions about your benefits, please email our customer service representatives using our secure email form. Filling out the secure form allows them to safely contact you about your personal account information.
I am going to be retiring 12/31/2020. I sent in my RS6037 form. How long will it be before I receive my “Retirement Option Election Form”? Also, after I retire I will be working part time at the Village I now work at. Is there something I have to do to be able to do this?
To check on the status of your retirement application, you can email our customer service representatives, using the secure contact form on our website.
If you do not receive your Option Election form soon, you can print the form from our website.Most NYSLRS retirees can earn up to $35,000 per calendar year from public employment without a reduction in their pension. There generally is no earnings limit starting in the year the retiree turns 65.
You may want to read our booklet, What If I Work After Retirement?, and email our customer service representatives if you have any questions.
I need to speak to someone from NYSR I have 29.7 years in and am trying to buy ceta & jtpa time back and i have filled out form for detailed work history and paid back in April 17th. I am trying to find out if your department has received any information as yet from social security. I would really like to get this done so I can retire but calling never gets me a person to talk to please assist. Thank you
We apologize for trouble you’ve had trying to reach us. Your message is important to us and we have sent you a private message in response.
What is the date I can retire after putting in 20 years of service without any cutback due to age?
How can I go about setting up a virtual appointment? Thank you.
Most members in regular plans can retire at 62, depending on your tier, without a pension reduction.
To schedule a phone consultation with one of our information representatives, please call 1-866-805-0990 (or 518-474-7736 in the Albany, NY area), press 2, then follow the prompts.
I retired in 1986 as a Tier one member. Today I noticed that I am listed as a Tier two. My question is why is that, and does it really matter, does it effect me in any way?
Based on your comment, it’s hard for us to determine what the issue might be. We suggest you contact one of our customer service representatives at 1-866-805-0990 (or 518-474-7736 in the Albany, NY area), press 2, then follow the prompts. They should be able to answer your question. You can also email our customer service representatives using our secure email form. Filling out the secure form allows them to safely contact you about your personal account information.
I retired 3/3/2017 police and fire pension, since retirement, the Port Authority Police department settled our pay raises contract going back 9 years. When will my pension be updated, and when will I receive my back pension. Thanks
To find out how long it should take to receive an increase in your pension payment, please email our customer service representatives using our secure email form. Filling out the secure form allows us to safely contact you about your personal account information.
I would like to know when your offices will be open for in person consultation. My State agency is open for customer visits, why isn’t yours?
Retirement System consultation offices are closed until further notice to protect the health of our members and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can schedule a phone consultation by calling 1-866-805-0990 (or 518-474-7736 in the Albany, New York area).
I requested to withdrawal my retirement while I was out on leave of absence and in April I spoke with someone who told me it takes 12 weeks and I just called now to check the status and the recording said the processing time is 5 months! Is this accurate, 5 months really?
The NYSLRS Call Center is the best source for estimates of current processing times.
To speak with a customer service representative, please call 1-866-805-0990 or email them using the secure email form on our website. Filling out the secure form allows them to safely contact you about your personal account information.
How do I make sure that all my paperwork is in order for my 6/30/2020 retirement date? Will your office notify me if I am missing something?
NYSLRS sends a confirmation letter after we receive a retirement application. Your letter will confirm your retirement date and receipt of any documents you sent with your application, such as proof of your birth date, and include any forms you may still need to complete.
To inquire about the status of your application, please email our customer service representatives using the secure email form on our website. Filling out the secure form allows them to safely contact you about your personal account information. You can also call them at 1-866-805-0990 (518-474-7736 in the Albany, New York area), press 2, then follow the prompts.
For more information about the retirement process, please read our booklet How Do I Prepare to Retire?
I am a member receiving retirement benefits and wanted to know if NYS offers any health insurance options.
NYSLRS does not provide health insurance for its retirees.
For New York State retirees and some municipal retirees, the New York State Department of Civil Service administers the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP). To learn more, please visit the Department of Civil Service’s website at http://www.cs.ny.gov, call them at 1-800-833-4344 or 518-457-5754, or email them at pio@cs.ny.gov.
If you retired from a public employer that did not participate in NYSHIP, your former employer’s benefits administrator may be able to help you.
I need to file a form to get the correct federal withholding from my pension. Where can I pick that form. I don’t have access to a printer.
To change your federal withholding, you’ll need the NYSLRS W-4P form. You can have the W-4P form mailed to you using our automated phone system. Call us toll-free at 1-866-805-0990, press 2 and follow the prompts.
I have tried many times to set up a retirement account on-line without success. Even had someone from your office talk me through it and it worked at that time but when I tried to access the account it did not work! I give up!
We’re sorry you could not reach us. Your message is important to us and we have sent you a private message in response.
I received the April Update via e-mail today, 4/17/2020. It says that your offices will be closed until March 30, 2020. At that was 17 days ago, I assume that your offices are open. That is good news as I assume that mean that other places in New York State that were closed in violation of The Constitution of the Untied States of America will be open when I fly back to Buffalo, tomorrow, April 18, 2020
To continue to protect the health and safety of our members, retirees, and employees, NYSLRS consultation sites will remain closed until further notice. Our Call Center is open (1-866-805-0990; 518-474-7736 in the Albany Area) and NYSLRS staff continue to conduct business. Please refer to our website if you need additional information or assistance.
I retired in January 2019 (police & Fire). I have yet to get my final pension number. Will the Coronavirus situation delay my final salary determination even further than it already has?
To check on the status of your final determination, 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 us to safely contact you about your personal account information.