Retirement Online is a safe and convenient way to review your retirement account details and conduct transactions in real time. In many cases, you can use Retirement Online instead of sending forms through the mail or calling NYSLRS. For example, members can create a pension estimate or apply for retirement, and retirees can manage their direct deposit information or view detailed “pay stubs” of their pension payments.
If you need help accessing Retirement Online, here’s some handy information to help you register, sign in, reset your password and more.
Registering for Retirement Online
For security reasons, when you sign up for an account, you will be asked to identify yourself, confirm your Social Security number and verify your identity. Then you’ll be asked to create your user ID and password. Read our Registering for Retirement Online guide for help with the registration process.
After you sign in for the first time, you’ll be asked to choose security questions and submit answers. Make sure you remember your responses — you’ll need to answer these questions again if you are ever locked out of your account or need to reset your password.
Keep Your Password Current
Be sure to sign in at least once a year and update your password so it doesn’t expire.
Forgotten User IDs or Passwords
You can retrieve your user ID or reset your password on your own.
To look up your user ID, go to the Retirement Online sign-in page. Click the “Forgot ID” link above the User ID field. From there, you can identify yourself and answer security questions to receive your user ID. Read our Forgot User ID guide for step-by-step information.
If you’ve forgotten your password, click the “Forgot Password” link above the Password field. You’ll identify yourself with your user ID and answer security questions to reset your password. Read our Forgot Password guide for step-by-step information.
Account Lock Out
When signing in to Retirement Online, you have a limited number of attempts to enter your user ID and password correctly. After that, the system will lock your account for security purposes. If this happens to you, don’t worry. Most users can unlock their own account and set a new password in just five steps.
- Click “OK” on the pop-up message saying your account is locked.
- Select how you want to receive your security code and click “Next.”
- Enter the security code you received and click “Submit.”
- Correctly answer secret questions that you created when you first registered.
- Enter a new password and click “Reset Password.”
What Web Browser to Use
Retirement Online works best in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. If you’re having trouble signing in, clearing your browsing data may help. Read our Clear Your Cache guide for step-by-step information.
Retirement Online is generally available:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Weekends from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm
Over time, we will expand our hours to better serve you. For more information and the latest hours of availability, please visit our Retirement Online Sign In page.
You can find more information and tips on our Retirement Online page. If you need help, contact our customer service representatives for assistance. You can call them at 866-805-0990. Press 2 and follow the prompts. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Dear NYSLRS:
Firstly, thank you for your service and patience.
Also, I’m Tier 4… and near retirement. And Im planning to retire with a “joint allowance” option with my wife (my beneficiary).
I know one of the requirements is submitting proof of her age … passport, birth certificate, etc. I don’t see a place online to do that right now or do I have to wait until I go through the retirement application process?
Thank you for your answer in advance.
If you file your retirement application through your Retirement Online account, you can upload a copy of your beneficiary’s proof of date of birth and other retirement-related documents as you step through the application process.
Could not register – knew answers to 2 questions, one about a car I owned over 30 years ago (I had to look up the model and year to be sure), but a third question listed 3 names, none of which I know, asked whom among them I knew, so I replied “none of the above”. As far I I can remember, I did not know them, maybe the verification contractor thinks I knew them, possibly someone I worked with or a neighbor that I never knew from 30 years ago also — absolutely an unreasonable question for verification. So the program shut down on me and would not let me register, telling me to call the Helpline, which I did and got the same “busy, call another business day” response everyone else here is getting. I will be doing any retirement business by mail, probably safer anyway.
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I don’t believe this! We’re being told time and again to use the system online but I can’t get into the system! I’m given an error message that my ID and Password are invalid. I try calling as soon as you’re office is open and I keep getting the same recording that there is a high volume of calls and to call again on another day! Are you kidding me! I have been calling for months!
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Hello,
I’m unable to sign up for into the system, I keep getting an error message; I am unable to reach the system by phone as well. How do I complete the sign in process?
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I have been trying and trying to get into NYSLRS, Why is it so difficult? Nothing works-tried to change my ID and passwords but it just kept saying they were wrong. Could not even get to the security questions. Every which way cuts me off. Even the retirement Information representative phone number is impossible! The wait times are ridiculous and they either cut you off before they answer or they have a recording that tells you to call back another day due to long wait times! Are that many people trying to retire or are they hoping we will give up?
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I cannot get into NYSLRS no matter what I try! I have even tried to change my user ID and my password but nothing works. I do not even get to the security questions, the site says it does not recognize me. I am trying to retire but it seems everyone just directs me to the NYLRS site and says that they know its hard to get into but they cannot help me. Ive called the retirement info representative line numerous times also and they have ridiculous wait times and then cut you off, or a recording comes on that says due to long wait times, call back another day! I’m very frustrated.
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Dear NYSLRS do you see the problems people are having with your website and your phonelines? It’s not fair to members that it’s so difficult to access pension administrators and online accounts. It’s taking weeks and months for members to get information and follow up on service credit requests and other items. These posts are just the tip of the tip of the iceberg!
DiNapoli does a great job but I am 86 years old…tired and cannot follow
your instructions to sign on …I like receiving paper from you as it
was in the past is the easiest way for me
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I don’t know who to contact if you can explain why no tax was taken out of my pension when my accountant filled out my papers, I file married filling separately when nick from NYSLRS helped me do an acct. on line he told me I file single that is why you do not take taxes out I just had my taxes done and my accountant told me if I file single more taxes would be taken out and said Nick is wrong and that NYSLRS made a mistake, I want my taxes taken out he said NYSLRS made a mistake and it’s up to you to fix it. PLEASE HELP EXPLAIN THIS SITUATION. Thank You, Jane Risoli
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how do i sign up online? i have an account i am retired
To create a Retirement Online account, go to the Sign In page on the NYSLRS website and click the “Sign Up” link under the “Customer Sign In” button.
You can find help with registering in our How to Register for Retirement Online user guide.
It is our information we want it without the hassle
I just need to update my beneficiaries.
If you are eligible for a death benefit, you can update your beneficiary information in Retirement Online. If you don’t have an account, you can find a step-by-step guide to registering in the Tools & Tips section of the Retirement Online page.
You can find more information about death benefits for retirees and death benefits for members on our website.
This system is hard to sign in and navigate..and the phone response to ask questions is nerve racking!!
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So difficult to reach someone. When I call I can’t thru because you hang up. Tried to access lockup window to fix my problem and it won’t open. Tried to send an email and I needed my registration number which would be on my online account that I don’t have access to, so I made up a number just so it would go thru…
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Thank you for the informative posts and emails.
NYS does not make it easy to register for “Retirement Online” for some retirement members. Have been trying for over a month to get into system. Called 2/26/24 and had to wait 60 minutes for a call back. Received email today to fill out form to get into system and return, but was unable to print out form.
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Leave me alone with this bombardment of “Retirement on-line”. I am a old person and don’t want anything to do wih this stuff, period!