A NYSLRS member with 30 years of service and a $70k final average salary retires on about $3,208 a month at age 63 under the “Tier 6 (joined April 2012 or later)” rules. That is 55.0% of salary. Amounts use your highest three consecutive years of earnings at the first full-benefit age for your tier: 63 for Tier 6 and 62 for Tier 5. NYSLRS members also pay into Social Security, so most retirees collect both.
Tier 6 (joined April 2012 or later)
| Service | Age | % of salary | $50k | $60k | $70k | $80k | $90k | $100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yrs | 63 | 16.6% | $692 | $830 | $968 | $1,107 | $1,245 | $1,383 |
| 15 yrs | 63 | 24.9% | $1,038 | $1,245 | $1,453 | $1,660 | $1,868 | $2,075 |
| 20 yrs | 63 | 35.0% | $1,458 | $1,750 | $2,042 | $2,333 | $2,625 | $2,917 |
| 25 yrs | 63 | 45.0% | $1,875 | $2,250 | $2,625 | $3,000 | $3,375 | $3,750 |
| 30 yrs | 63 | 55.0% | $2,292 | $2,750 | $3,208 | $3,667 | $4,125 | $4,583 |
| 35 yrs | 63 | 65.0% | $2,708 | $3,250 | $3,792 | $4,333 | $4,875 | $5,417 |
Tier 5 (joined Jan 2010 – March 2012)
| Service | Age | % of salary | $50k | $60k | $70k | $80k | $90k | $100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yrs | 62 | 16.6% | $692 | $830 | $968 | $1,107 | $1,245 | $1,383 |
| 15 yrs | 62 | 24.9% | $1,038 | $1,245 | $1,453 | $1,660 | $1,868 | $2,075 |
| 20 yrs | 62 | 40.0% | $1,667 | $2,000 | $2,333 | $2,667 | $3,000 | $3,333 |
| 25 yrs | 62 | 50.0% | $2,083 | $2,500 | $2,917 | $3,333 | $3,750 | $4,167 |
| 30 yrs | 62 | 60.0% | $2,500 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| 35 yrs | 62 | 67.5% | $2,813 | $3,375 | $3,938 | $4,500 | $5,063 | $5,625 |
Tier 3 or 4 (joined July 1976 – Dec 2009)
| Service | Age | % of salary | $50k | $60k | $70k | $80k | $90k | $100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yrs | 62 | 16.6% | $692 | $830 | $968 | $1,107 | $1,245 | $1,383 |
| 15 yrs | 62 | 24.9% | $1,038 | $1,245 | $1,453 | $1,660 | $1,868 | $2,075 |
| 20 yrs | 62 | 40.0% | $1,667 | $2,000 | $2,333 | $2,667 | $3,000 | $3,333 |
| 25 yrs | 62 | 50.0% | $2,083 | $2,500 | $2,917 | $3,333 | $3,750 | $4,167 |
| 30 yrs | 55 | 60.0% | $2,500 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| 35 yrs | 55 | 67.5% | $2,813 | $3,375 | $3,938 | $4,500 | $5,063 | $5,625 |
Monthly amounts before tax, using the single-life payout. Salary columns are final average salary, not your last paycheck. Age is the first age with no early-retirement reduction for that service.
Retiring earlier or later
Retiring before the age shown means a smaller check for life, and waiting longer usually adds both service and, in some plans, a higher factor. The NYSLRS retirement chart shows the percentage at every age from 55 to 67, and the NYSLRS calculator runs your exact numbers.
What else adds to the check
NYSLRS members also pay into Social Security, so most retirees collect a Social Security benefit on top of these amounts. See the pension and Social Security calculator for the combined total, and the COLA guide for how the check grows after you retire.
