State Public Pensions in New York
Public employees in New York belong to the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS), run by the State Comptroller, while public educators belong to the New York State Teachers' Retirement System (NYSTRS). Survivor and death benefits depend on the system, the member's tier, and whether the member was active or retired.
Administering agency
New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS)
State Public Pensions in New York: key facts
- Systems
- New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS, including the Employees' and Police and Fire Retirement Systems) and the New York State Teachers' Retirement System (NYSTRS).
- Ordinary death benefit (NYSLRS)
- For a member with at least one year of service who dies in active service from a non-work cause, a beneficiary may receive an ordinary death benefit, up to $50,000 of which is paid as group term life insurance, plus accumulated contributions.
- Accidental death benefit (NYSLRS)
- A pension payable to a surviving spouse (or other beneficiaries specified by law) when death results from an on-the-job accident.
- Reporting a death
- NYSLRS: 866-805-0990 (press 3, then 1) or the online death report form; NYSLRS also needs an original, certified death certificate. NYSTRS: (800) 348-7298 — ext. 6110 for an active member, ext. 6140 for a retired member, ext. 6150 for a retiree's beneficiary; NYSTRS asks for the deceased's name, the date of death, the membership status, and the name, relationship, and phone number of the person reporting.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Identify whether the deceased was a member of NYSLRS or NYSTRS.
- Report the death — NYSLRS at 866-805-0990 (press 3, then 1) or online, providing an original certified death certificate; NYSTRS at (800) 348-7298, ext. 6110 for an active member or ext. 6140 for a retired member, providing the deceased's name, date of death, and membership status.
- Confirm the beneficiary designation on file and ask what ordinary, accidental, or survivor death benefit is payable.
- Complete and return the benefit-claim forms the retirement system mails to the beneficiaries.
Frequently asked questions
For a state or local government employee, contact the New York State and Local Retirement System at 866-805-0990 (press 3, then 1) or use its online death report form; NYSLRS also needs an original, certified death certificate. For a public educator, contact the New York State Teachers' Retirement System at (800) 348-7298 — extension 6110 if the member was still working, extension 6140 if the member had retired.
A member with at least one year of service who dies in active service from a non-work cause may leave a beneficiary an ordinary death benefit, up to $50,000 of which is paid as tax-exempt group term life insurance, along with the member's accumulated contributions.
Whether a benefit continues depends on the payment option the retiree elected. A Single Life Allowance pays the maximum amount for the retiree's life and stops at death, with no continuing benefit to a beneficiary. Joint allowance options continue monthly payments to the named beneficiary; Five Year Certain and Ten Year Certain options pay a beneficiary for the balance of that period. NYSLRS also pays an eligible retiree's beneficiary a one-time post-retirement death benefit that steps down each of the first years of retirement.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in New York primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS)