Human Resources: Employee Benefits: Retirement Programs

Primary Retirement Plans
(with Employer Contributions)*

Eligibility for New York State and SUNY retirement plans with employer contributions depend upon your employee affiliation.  You may elect to become a member of one primary retirement plan at a time and in most cases, your chosen plan is irrevocable. 

New York State Employees' Retirement System (ERS)

Any employee who receives a W-2 form from SUNY is eligible to join ERS, a defined benefit plan.

New York State Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)

TRS membership is open to employees in a select group of titles, including:  all faculty titles, librarian or coach titles, or in the titles of chancellor, president, vice-president, provost, dean, associate dean or assistant dean.

New York State Police & Fire Retirement System (PFRS)

All employees in University Police titles (e.g., PBANYS, MC-13 police titles) are eligible to join PFRS.

*NOTE:  Employer contributions are deposited into ERS, PFRS & TRS pension funds as a whole, not directly into a member's account.

SUNY Optional Retirement Program (ORP)

The ORP is a defined 401(a) contribution plan including options to invest with Corebridge, Fidelity, TIAA and Voya.   Eligibility is limited to employees in the Unclassifed (UUP & MC-13) service who are full-time, part-time UUP employees with Term appointment & M/C employees who are at least half-time.  Click the ORP link above for more plan information.

Financial & Retirement Planning Resources

This takes you to a page containing a list of links to external websites monitored by SUNY that offer retirement planning resources.

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designation

It is very important to keep your retirement plan beneficiary information up to date.  Use the links below to register or log into your account to update information depending on your retirement plan(s):  

NYSLRS (ERS & PAFRS)

TRS

SUNY ORP & 403(b)

NYSDC 457
Retire Online  & click View & Update My Beneficiaries on your home page

MyNYSTRS 

Sign in to your investment vendor personal account(s) to update beneficiary information NYS Deferred Comp

Voluntary Retirement Savings Programs
(Employee Contribution Only)

In addition to your primary employer-contribution retirement plan, you may contribute to a supplemental plan.  Click this heading for information on setting up an SRA, TDA or NYS Deferred Compensation.