Newly enacted legislation lowers the age at which NYSTRS Tier 6 members can retire without an age-related reduction. Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2026, effective April 1, 2026, also extends previous legislation pertaining to the calculation of Tier 6 member contribution rates.
Retirement Age Reduced
Under this new legislation, Tier 6 members who have at least 30 years of credited service may now retire as early as age 58 without an age-related reduction in benefits. Members who do not meet the 30-year service requirement may retire without a reduction at age 63.
Previously, Tier 6 members needed to be age 63 to retire without an age-related reduction in benefits.
Member Contribution Rate Calculation Extended
Tier 6 members have a two-year extension on the statute requiring their contribution rate to be determined using only their annual base wages.
An extension of legislation dating to 2022, the new law provides that compensation earned for extracurricular programs or other pensionable earnings for the school years ending June 30, 2026 through June 30, 2028 will not be included in the contribution rate calculation for those years. Although the contribution percentage rate for those years will be calculated only on annual base wages, Tier 6 members must pay the applicable contribution rate on all of their pensionable earnings in those years.
See the Active Members/Member Contributions page for more information on how the rate is determined.
