Preparing for retirement is one of the most important things you'll ever do. The decisions you make now will affect your financial security for the rest of your life, so you want to be sure those decisions are based on the best information available. Now, the New York State Employees' Retirement System (ERS) offers you a convenient and accurate way to plan for retirement with the new Retirement Online.
Retirement Online is a secure way to review information about your pension benefits and update your account in real time. In many cases, you can use Retirement Online instead of sending forms through the mail or calling.
Here are some of the things you can do with Retirement Online:
- Review up-to-date information about your retirement benefits.
- Update your address, phone number and email address.
- Review your service credit and any service purchase payments.
- View beneficiary selections or submit a beneficiary designation request.
- Apply for a loan and check loan balances.
Over time, we will introduce additional features. One of the great advantages of Retirement Online is that you can conduct business whenever it is convenient for you. Retirement Online is not yet available 24/7, but you can access it Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is recommended you use Internet Explorer.
To register for your account, go to the NYSLRS homepage at www.osc.state.ny.us/retire and look for Retirement Online. You'll notice we've incorporated security measures used by many financial institutions. You'll be asked a series of questions to verify your identity. The questions are provided by a trusted third party. ERS does not store the questions or your answers. You'll also be asked to create a user ID and password for your account, and provide answers to security questions as an added layer of protection. If you were a user of our old Retirement Online, you must register for a new account.
We hope you'll sign up today, but using the new Retirement Online service is optional. You will still be able to conduct ERS transactions through the mail or by contacting us. If you have questions or need help registering, please call the ERS Contact Center toll-free at 866-805-0990 or 518-474-7736 and select option one to get help for Retirement Online. The contact center is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Learn more about Retirement Online at www.osc.state.ny.us/retire/retirement_online/customers.php.
NYSUT ERS consultants
Most NYSUT School-Related Professionals* belong to the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System (ERS). NYSUT ERS consultants are available to help SRP members navigate the retirement system. Consultants can answer questions, provide forms and help members contact the ERS. Contact any one of our consultants for assistance.
* Note: Certified teaching assistants belong to the state Teachers' Retirement System (TRS).
Every issue, state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, sole trustee of the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System, provides information on the system, which delivers retirement benefits to many NYSUT School-Related Professionals and other support staff. If you are an ERS member with a question of general interest, email united@nysutmail.org.
For immediate assistance, call the ERS Contact Center toll-free at 866-805-0990 or 518-474-7736 in the Capital District area.