Pension & Retirement Education Program

Many retirees wish they began focusing on financial and retirement planning much earlier in their lives. No matter how far along you are in your career, careful financial and retirement planning are critical. That’s why our Pension & Retirement Education Program (PREP) seminar is so valuable.

The PREP seminar helps members understand your NYSTRS benefits and offers tips for retirement planning. This information will help you develop a plan to achieve your retirement goals and dreams.

Each free half-day session runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (registration begins at 8 a.m). Topics include:

• NYSTRS Benefits: Pension, disability coverage, loans, vesting and death benefits.
• Financial Planning: Saving early, catching up, withdrawals and financial advisors.
• Social Security: Benefits, eligibility rules, when to collect and earning limits.
• Estate Planning: Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies and living wills.
• The Retirement Process: Retirement options, "resigning" vs. "retiring," choosing a retirement date, retirement checklist, monthly payments, taxes and earnings limitations on NYS public employment.

PREP seminars often fill up, so book early. Can't attend a seminar now? We begin taking reservations for our three PREP schedules during the year in mid-September (fall schedule), mid-December (winter/spring), and mid-May (summer).

The PREP seminar is not designed for individual retirement counseling. To schedule a one-on-one consultation, visit the Benefits Consultations page.