Bill
A 11108
Allows some NY public retirement system members to retire unreduced at 55 with 30 years, expanding 55/30 eligibility across NYSLERS, TRS/NYSTRS, and NYC systems.
Jurisdiction: New York
Session: 2025-2026
Sponsor: Assemblymember Pheffer Amato (co-sponsor: Stacey Pheffer Amato)
Status: Referred to the Committee on Governmental Employees (as of April 24, 2026)
Headline purpose
- To amend various sections of the Retirement and Social Security Law to allow certain tiers of NYSLERS (New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System) and NYSTRS/NYC retirement systems to retire earlier without a reduction in benefits, specifically at age 55 with 30 years of service, under specified conditions.
- The bill would modify normal and early retirement provisions to provide unreduced benefits for older tiers (Tier 5 and Tier 6) of NYSLERS and certain NYC/teacher retirement systems, aligning them with an early 55/30 rule in some cases.
Key provisions and changes
1) NYSLERS (New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System)
- Section 503(a):
- For general members (non-elective) who have reached minimum service:
- Current rule (pre-2026): normal service retirement at age 62 (with 30+ years) for unreduced benefits; peace officers or certain members may retire earlier (50 with 30+ years) without reduction.
- New change (for members who joined NYSLERS on or after April 1, 2012): normal service retirement at age 63 with 30+ years remains eligible for unreduced benefits; however, the bill preserves a path for unreduced retirement at age 55 with 30+ years for certain groups (see below).
- Overall effect: Creates a pathway for unreduced retirement prior to normal age (55 with 30+ years) for certain members who are in NYSLERS, including after-2012 entrants.
2) NYSLERS retirement benefits calculations (Section 504 amendments)
- For general members with 20+ years:
- Normal retirement benefit formula is adjusted; specific formulas depend on membership tier and whether the member joined after 2012.
- The bill provides a framework for unreduced benefits at age 55 with 30 years of service for certain entrants.
- Early retirement with social security offset remains, but the bill reorganizes eligibility details for unreduced benefits.
3) Other system-specific adjustments (Section 603 and 604 amendments)
- Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) and NYSTRS provisions are revised to:
- Allow unreduced early retirement at age 55 with 30+ years for certain members (e.g., NYSTRS members who joined after January 1, 2010 and other specified cases).
- Adjust the early-retirement reductions schedule for pre-55 withdrawals, with revised multipliers depending on years before age 62 or 63, and whether the member joined after 2010 or after 2012.
- Require member contributions for unreduced early retirement in certain scenarios (e.g., a 55/30 unreduced option often requires continued member contributions).
4) NYC Retirement Systems (NYCERS) and Pension Funds (Section 603 correction)
- The actuarial notes indicate an intended unreduced early retirement option for Tier 6 NYCERS members at age 55 with 30 years of service.
- The fiscal note projects substantial employer cost increases across NYCERS, TRS, and BERS (Buffalo/NYS local systems) over the next decades, starting with an initial uptick in annual contributions (illustrative initial increase around $144 million for NYC systems combined, then rising in subsequent years).
5) Funding and fiscal impact (Fiscal Notes)
- NYSLERS impact: Present value of benefits would increase by about $2.1 billion; annual contributions to NYSLERS would rise, with an estimated 0.9% of payroll increase to all participating employers (roughly $130 million state-wide and $190 million to local employers), plus an additional 0.2% for Tier 6 (total 1.1%).
- TRS/NYCERS/BERS impact: Multi-year increases in employer contributions projected; detailed year-by-year numbers provided in the fiscal notes (first-year combined impact around $144.4 million; rising through 2047 with varying amounts by fund).
6) Effective date and sunset
- Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.
- Specific amendments to subdivision a of section 603 with expiration-related language: the amendments “shall not affect the expiration” of that subdivision and shall be deemed to expire with it.
Who is affected
- Tier 5 and Tier 6 members of NYSLERS (state and local employees).
- Members of NYSTRS (Teachers’ Retirement System) and certain NYC retirement systems (NYCERS) who joined after specified dates (2010, 2012, etc.) and who meet the 55-year age and 30-year service thresholds.
- Employers contributing to these systems (state and local governments, school districts, and related entities) due to anticipated higher actuarial costs.
Procedural/timeline notes
- The bill would take effect immediately if enacted.
- It would adjust several long-standing retirement formulas and early-retirement reductions, with actuarial analyses indicating significant long-term cost implications.
Bottom line
- Aimed at broadening unreduced early retirement eligibility to 55 years of age with 30 years of service for certain Tier 5/6 members across NYSLERS, NYSTRS, and NYC retirement systems, with offset and contribution implications. The fiscal notes project meaningful, ongoing cost increases for public employers and higher present value of benefits.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
