NYSTRS vs NYSLRS: Which New York Retirement System Covers You

Who Each System Covers

NYSTRS (New York State Teachers' Retirement System) covers instructional employees in public school districts and BOCES outside New York City: classroom teachers, guidance counselors, teaching assistants, school psychologists, and educational administrators. Participating SUNY and community college faculty who chose NYSTRS over the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) are also members.

NYSLRS (New York State and Local Retirement System), administered through the ERS (Employees' Retirement System), covers non-instructional school district staff — custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, cafeteria workers, teacher aides — along with municipal employees, county workers, and state employees outside NYC.

If you teach or hold an instructional role in a public school outside the five boroughs, you're NYSTRS. If you're a school employee in a non-instructional role, you're NYSLRS. NYC Department of Education employees fall under a third system entirely — NYC TRS.

Key Differences

The systems are administered by different agencies with separate tier structures, pension formulas, and application processes.

Pension formula: Both use a defined benefit formula based on service years and FAS, but the multiplier schedules differ. NYSTRS Tier 4 uses a graduated factor (1.67%/2.0%/1.5%), while NYSLRS ERS uses a different schedule with its own breakpoints.

Contribution rules: Contribution rules differ by tier and system. NYSTRS Tier 6 contribution rates fall between 3% and 6% based on the contribution-rate bracket; check with NYSTRS or NYSLRS for the rates and contribution periods that apply to your membership.

Health insurance: Neither system administers health insurance. In both cases, retiree health coverage is governed by the employer — your school district, municipality, or state agency — through collective bargaining agreements and NYSHIP rules.

Application forms: NYSTRS uses Form RET-54 filed through MyNYSTRS or by mail. NYSLRS uses its own application through the Retirement Online portal at osc.ny.gov.

Service Credit Transfers

If you've worked in both an instructional and non-instructional role in New York public employment, some service may be transferable between systems, depending on your eligibility and employment history.

Your tier can depend on your initial membership in NYSTRS or a transferable New York public retirement system. Confirm with NYSTRS and NYSLRS whether your service can transfer and how it would affect your benefits before relying on combined service credit.

Why It Matters

The confusion between NYSTRS and NYSLRS shows up constantly in retirement planning forums. Advice written for one system doesn't apply to the other. A NYSLRS member following NYSTRS filing instructions will submit the wrong forms through the wrong portal with the wrong deadlines.

If you're a NYSTRS member approaching retirement, the NYSTRS Retirement Guide covers the NYSTRS-specific filing process, forms, and payout options from start to finish.

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