Estate planning at NYSLRS
How to protect 4 NYSLRS accounts — manage beneficiaries online, and file death claims
NYSLRS Contact Center
Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address
NYSLRS, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244-0001
Albany, NY area
WebsiteLearn more→
NYSLRS Contact Center
Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address
NYSLRS, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244-0001
Albany, NY area
WebsiteLearn more→
NYSLRS Survivor Services
Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address
NYSLRS, Attn: Survivor Services, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244
Report a death (press 3 then 1)
Albany, NY area
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
NYSLRS is a pension system paying retirement and survivor benefits to public employees and their families. When a member or retiree dies, NYSLRS pays a death or survivor benefit to the beneficiary on file—not through the will—so keeping that designation current is the single most important step members can take.
NYSLRS lets account holders update beneficiary designations online and by mail. Trust funding options vary by account type—check with NYSLRS for specifics.
There are two sides to estate planning at NYSLRS: setting things up while you're alive, and the process survivors follow after a death.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to manage beneficiaries online, and review 4 account types at NYSLRS.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
5-step process, 4 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →NYSLRS operates in select states, so estate planning procedures may vary by location. Confirm availability in your state before initiating trust funding or account changes.
Frequently asked questions
Members sign in to Retirement Online and select "View and Update My Beneficiaries" to add, remove, or update primary and contingent beneficiaries. A paper Designation of Beneficiary form (RS5127) is also available for active members, but it must be notarized and takes longer to process. New designations replace all previously named beneficiaries, so every intended beneficiary must be listed.
Sources
Data sourced from NYSLRS primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
NYSLRS Contact Center
Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address
NYSLRS, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244-0001
Albany, NY area
WebsiteLearn more→
NYSLRS Contact Center
Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address
NYSLRS, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244-0001
Albany, NY area
WebsiteLearn more→
NYSLRS Survivor Services
Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address
NYSLRS, Attn: Survivor Services, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244
Report a death (press 3 then 1)
Albany, NY area
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your NYSLRS accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
