NYSLRS provides pension benefits to more than 520,000 retirees and beneficiaries. You can find our retirees in every state in the US and in countries all around the world. However, most live right here in New York State.
Nearly 79% of NYSLRS Retirees Stay in New York
The vast majority of NYSLRS retirees—nearly 79 percent—stay in New York State, and their pension dollars flow right back into our communities. Retirees in New York pay local property and sales taxes. Their spending supports local businesses, generates thousands of jobs and stimulates the economy.
Where in New York do these retirees call home?
Long Island is home to more than 66,000 retirees and beneficiaries. Suffolk County has the most and Nassau County has the third most benefit recipients of the counties outside of New York City. (The City, which has its own separate retirement systems for municipal employees, police and firefighters, has more than 24,000 retirees and beneficiaries.)
Erie County, which includes Buffalo, has the second most retirees—nearly 34,000. Albany County, home to the State capitol, is ranked fourth, with more than 20,000. Monroe, Westchester, Onondaga, Saratoga, Dutchess and Oneida Counties round out the top ten.
All told, retirees and beneficiaries in the top ten counties received $7 billion in retirement benefits in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.
Hamilton County has the fewest retirees. But, in this sparsely populated county in the heart of the Adirondacks, those 545 retirees represent about 10 percent of the county’s population and received $12.9 million in retirement benefits in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.
NYSLRS Retirees in the United States
NYSLRS retirees are found in every state. Florida, not surprisingly, is the second choice for retirees after New York. Roughly 41,000 call the Sunshine State home. North Carolina is third, followed by New Jersey and South Carolina. North Dakota has the fewest retirees and beneficiaries—only 23.
NYSLRS Retirees Around the World
There are 649 NYSLRS retirees and beneficiaries living around the world but the most common countries are:
- Canada: 176
- Israel: 48
- England: 32
- Philippines: 32
- US Virgin Islands: 29
Learn More
Check out our 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for more information about NYSLRS, the Common Retirement Fund and our nearly 1.2 million members, retirees and beneficiaries.
Note: All data is as of the State fiscal year end, March 31, 2024.
Subject: Inquiry Regarding Social Security Tax and Pension Adjustments
Dear State Comptroller,
I am writing to you regarding the Social Security tax being deducted from my pension check. I understand that the President has discussed plans to eliminate the Social Security tax. How long will these deductions continue in light of this?
Additionally, I have reached out to my elected officials, Assemblyman Billy Jones and State Senator Daniel Stec, to express my concerns about my pension check being too low. Despite being eligible for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), I have yet to receive the increase I am due.
As someone well past the qualifying age for this adjustment, I find it concerning that my pension does not reflect the proper COLA. How long will it take for these necessary changes to be made?
I would greatly appreciate your assistance in resolving these matters promptly.
Thank you for your attention to this issue.
Sincerely,
Bobby Blassingame
If you are referring to the Social Security Fairness Act, which was signed into law by President Biden January 5, it does not impact NYSLRS retirement benefits.
Regarding your COLA question: to begin receiving COLA payments, members receiving a service retirement benefit must be:
• Age 62 or older and receiving a benefit for five or more years; or
• Age 55 or older and receiving a benefit for ten or more years (applies to uniformed employees such as police officers, firefighters and correction officers who are covered by a special retirement plan that allows for retirement, regardless of age, after 20 or 25 years).
For questions about your specific situation, please message our customer service representatives using our secure contact form. Filling out the secure form allows them to safely contact you about your personal account information.