2026 Legislation

The following is a summary of 2026 NYSTRS-related legislation that has been signed into law.

Tier 6 Retirement Age and Employee Contribution Rate

Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2026 (S9008C/A10008C)
Specifically Part XX
Signed into law May 26, 2026
Effective April 1, 2026

This law amends various sections of the Retirement and Social Security Law to change the age at which NYSTRS members who first joined the System on or after April 1, 2012 (i.e., Tier 6) may retire without reduction of their retirement benefit from age 63 to age 58 with the completion of 30 or more years of service credit. This legislation is effective immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after April 1, 2026. 

This law also extends the period during which the calculation of the employee contribution rate for NYSTRS members with a date of membership on or after April 1, 2012, to be determined using only the member’s annual base wages and would not include any other additional pensionable compensation. The previous expiration date of this provision was fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. This provision is an extension for two additional school years (i.e., those years ending June 30, 2027 and June 30, 2028).