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OverviewPreparing your estateWhen someone dies
OverviewPreparing your estateWhen someone dies
SimplyTrust forms
Letter of Instruction
Home→Financial Institutions→NYSLRS→Preparing your estate

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

Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address

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

Albany, NY area
518-474-7736
WebsiteLearn more→

NYSLRS Contact Center

Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address

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

Albany, NY area
518-474-7736
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)
1-866-805-0990
Albany, NY area
518-474-7736
WebsiteNotify online→
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·Updated July 11, 2026

Sources

  • osc.ny.gov

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.

NYSLRS

Subsidiary of Office of the New York State Comptroller

osc.ny.gov/retirement→
NYSLRS logo

NYSLRS Contact Center

Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address

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

Albany, NY area
518-474-7736
WebsiteLearn more→

NYSLRS Contact Center

Phone1-866-805-0990
Mailing Address

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

Albany, NY area
518-474-7736
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)
1-866-805-0990
Albany, NY area
518-474-7736
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.

When you're ready, we're here.

A revocable living trust skips probate, stays private, and takes 15 minutes.

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Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your NYSLRS accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.

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Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

New Baby or Adoption

New Baby or Adoption

Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.

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Marriage

Marriage

What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.

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New Home

New Home

How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.

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Retirement

Retirement

Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.

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