How to designate beneficiaries at NYSLRS

Covers 4 state-pension accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online

NYSLRS

Subsidiary of Office of the New York State Comptroller

osc.ny.gov/retirement
NYSLRS logo

NYSLRS Contact Center

Mailing Address

NYSLRS, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244-0001

Albany, NY area

NYSLRS Contact Center

Mailing Address

NYSLRS, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244-0001

Albany, NY area

NYSLRS Survivor Services

Mailing Address

NYSLRS, Attn: Survivor Services, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244

Report a death (press 3 then 1)
Albany, NY area
Verified Jul 2026

Estate planning with NYSLRS centers on two elections: the retirement option that sets a continuing survivor benefit, and the beneficiary designation for any lump-sum death benefit. Both are recorded with NYSLRS and take precedence over a will, so reviewing them after major life changes is essential.

Each of NYSLRS's 4 pension benefits has different rules for how it transfers at death. The sections below explain the options for each.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from NYSLRS primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.

Download these NYSLRS instructions

Download instructions for the whole estate

A printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against NYSLRS primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.

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