(ALBANY, NEW YORK) – New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) President Melinda Person has released the following statement in response to reported fixes to Tier 6 in the State Budget:

This Tier 6 agreement is proof that when Workers organize and stay united, change is possible. This is a victory for Public Workers across New York. Because Members across New York refused to give up, we secured meaningful progress for Public Workers - including lowering the retirement age from 63 to 58 after 30 years of service for Members in the New York State and New York City Teachers’ Retirement Systems - and reducing contribution rates for many other Public Employees. This victory belongs to every Member who spoke out, rallied, lobbied and kept the pressure on. We are taking an important step toward building a fairer future for the next generation of Public Workers. And we’re going to keep fighting.

While final language and details will be included in the enacted State Budget, several Tier 6 changes are expected to be included based on reporting from several media outlets and confirmed by the Governor's Office.

Tier 6 pension reforms vary by Member group:

For Tier 6 Members in NYSTRS and NYCTRS - a group that includes most teachers and Teaching Assistants - the retirement age will be reduced by five years, from 63 to 58, for Members with 30 years of service (without penalties).

For Tier 6 Members in NYSERS, NYCERS and NYCBERS - many School-related Professionals, Support Staff and other Workers - contribution rates will be reduced across most salary bands.

New NYSERS/NYCERS/NYCBERS Contribution Bands: $75k or less: 3%; $75k - $100k: 4%; $100k - $125k: 5.25%; and $125k or more: 5.75%.

For Tier 6 Members in the SUNY (State University of New York) and CUNY (City University of New York) Optional Retirement Program (ORP), contribution bands will be adjusted to align with changes in the other retirement systems, and Members will receive an additional 1% State contribution to their ORP accounts.

And For Tier 6 Members eligible for overtime, the overtime cap used in final average salary calculations will increase from $22,500 plus CPI to $30,000 - plus CPI.

NYSUT Editor’s Note: Tier 5 TRS Members' retirement age is currently 57 and Tier 5 ERS Members have fixed contribution rates at 3%. We are awaiting final information to assess how Tier 5 Members eligible for overtime may be affected by current changes and we will continue to advocate for full fixes to Tier 5 along with further improvements for our Tier 6 Members. 

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: NYSUT President Melinda Person's statement on Tier 6 changes coming in 2026 state budget