Resources

Here you will find research and educational information regarding public pensions in general and NYSTRS specifically. This information is intended to deepen your understanding of how pensions are funded and their impact on the economy.

Browse these sections: NYSTRS Specific; Public Pensions – General; and, Pension and Retirement Research.

NYSTRS Specific

Average Employer Contribution Rates by Decade – A chart illustrating NYSTRS' Employer Contribution Rates by decade dating to the 1920s.

Distribution of Annual Pensions – A chart proving the percentage of members receiving a pension of $100,000 or more is extremely small.

The NYSTRS Pension Dollar – Facts and figures about the source of NYSTRS income and the distribution of pension dollars.

NYSTRS Briefing Booklet – An overview of the Retirement System's operations, funding methods, investment performance history, distribution of benefits and other relevant data.

Secure Retirement/Economic Stimulant – A fact sheet demonstrating the value and sustainability of a NYSTRS pension.

Response to December 2010 Empire Center Report – A caution regarding projecting future pension costs.

NYSTRS by the Numbers – A summary of statistical information related to this plan (as of June 30, 2011).

NYSTRS' Stable Foundation – Presentation delivered by NYSTRS staff at the 2009 Delegates Meeting.

Also see our Annual Report and the publication Learning About NYSTRS.

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Public Pensions – General

The 3 R's of Teacher Pension Plans: Recruitment, Retention and Retirement – A NIRS study analyzing the effectiveness of defined benefit (DB) pensions on teacher retention and productivity finds that pensions play a critical role in recruiting and retaining productive teachers.

The Importance of Defined Benefit Plans for Retirement Income Adequacy – An Employee Benefit Research Institute article showing the importance of defined benefit plans in achieving retirement income adequacy for Baby Boomers and Gen Xers. Conclusion: The presence of a defined benefit accrual at age 65 reduces the percentage of "at-risk" households by 11.6%.

The PEW Center on the States' Pension Grades – This page from a February 2010 Pew Center report labels New York a "solid performer" in pension funding. Read the full copy of the report titled "The Trillion Dollar Gap."

Pension Dialog –A collaborative effort of the National Council on Teacher Retirement and the National Association of State Retirement Administrators offering public pension facts; examinations of relevant reports, studies, and media stories; and, information on proposed policies and legislative actions.

Issue Brief: Public Pension Plan Investment Returns – A NASRA brief containing median investment returns for periods ended 6/30/11 and the latest distribution of investment return assumptions for plans in the Public Fund Survey.

Challenging Faulty Pension Analysis – Scrutiny of assumptions used and conclusions drawn in a spring 2011 report critical of public pension plans.

Lessons from Well-Funded Public Pensions: An Analysis of Plans That Weathered the Financial Storm – A June 2011 study of six plans (including NYSTRS) that successfully weathered recent market downturns. The report identifies six key features of sustainable and affordable pension plans.

Defending Public Pensions – A transcript from an ABC News item that aired June 29, 2011.

Addressing Media Misconceptions About Public-Sector Pensions – An article from the February 2011 edition of Government Finance Review pointing out and filling in gaps in the reporting of public pensions.

Transparency and Funding of Pension Plans – Comments from several state and local organizations regarding proposed changes to state and local pension plan reporting. (Issued May 2011) Also see Statement Opposing Federal Legislation.

Issue Brief: Investment Gains, Legislative Changes Speed Recovery – A NASRA/NCTR brief demonstrating public pension plans are recovering as expected. (Issued April 2011)

Issue Brief: Government Spending on Public Employer Retirement Systems – A NASRA brief showing state and local government spending on public retirement systems accounts for about 3% of budgets.

Facts on State and Local Government Pensions – A consortium of organizations rebut claims made by those who oppose the current pension structure.

Video: How Public Pension Plans Help Drive the Economy – A brief explanation of how public pension plans like NYSTRS help drive the economy. (run time: 6 minutes) Print the handout.

Public Pensions and NYSTRS: The Real Deal – A National Institute on Retirement Security presentation outlining the economic impact of public pension plans.

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Pension and Retirement Research

National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) – NIRS research focuses on retirement security with an emphasis on the role and value of defined benefit (DB) pension plans for employers, employees, the economy, and the public. Refer to NIRS' reports, briefs and educational materials.

National Association of State Retirement Administrators (NASRA) – NASRA engages in advocacy, research and education activities that promote best practices among its member systems and enhance the retirement security of their participants. Refer to NASRA's research.

Center for Retirement Research at Boston College – The Center provides decision-makers in the public and private sectors with information to better understand the issues facing an aging population. The Center's research program spans the four main areas that affect a household's retirement income: Social Security; employer-sponsored pension plans; household saving; and, labor market trends among older workers. Refer to the Center's publications and data.

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