Two things decide it: whether you were still working, and the payment option you chose at retirement. A surviving spouse on a lifetime benefit may also get half the COLA. Your tier sets which death benefit you have.
Before you retire
- If you die before retiring, your beneficiary gets your member contributions balance plus, if you're covered, an in-service death benefit. You're covered after one year of service (Tiers 2-6) or three months (Tier 1) since last joining, if you were in service at death or met the other conditions.Handbook pp. 14, 35
- Check with NYSTRSTiers 2-6 (Paragraph 2): your last 12 months of pensionable earnings times your years of service, up to three times. From age 62 (Tiers 2-5) or 63 (Tier 6) it is reduced 4% per year, up to 40%. The law limits the salary used.Handbook p. 35The 2024 Actuarial Valuation (p. 84) says the reduction starts after age 60 (from 61), not at 62/63 as the handbook says. Confirm before publishing the age.
The handbook says the in-service death benefit (Paragraph 2) starts dropping 4% a year at age 62 (Tier 6: 63). NYSTRS's 2024 actuarial report says the cut starts after age 60. NYSTRS's Benefit Profile also shows a salary limit that changed in 2026.
We show the handbook's ages (62, or 63 for Tier 6) and don't compute a death benefit amount.
Handbook p. 35; Actuarial Valuation 2024, App. 19, p. 84After you retire
| If you die in | Share of the death benefit paid |
|---|---|
| The first year of retirement | 50% |
| The second year | 25% |
| The third year on | 10% |
Tiers 2-6 with the Paragraph 2 benefit in effect at retirement: 50% of it if you die in the first year of retirement, 25% in the second, and 10% from the third year on (or the age-60 amount if higher). You must retire within one year of leaving the payroll, with no non-NYSTRS employment in between. Tier 1 members who reinstate from another tier forfeit the post-retirement death benefit.
Handbook pp. 9, 35; Retired Members' Handbook p. 16- If the Paragraph 2 benefit is in effect when you retire, part continues after retirement: 50% in the first year, 25% in the second, and 10% from the third year on. You must retire within one year of leaving the payroll.Handbook p. 35; Retired Members' Handbook p. 16
- With 10 or more years of service, if you leave teaching and die before retiring, a vested death benefit of half the in-service benefit is payable. Tier 3-6 accidental death on duty can pay certain survivors 50% of your last year's salary each year instead.Handbook pp. 16, 36
- After retirement, what your beneficiary receives depends on the payment option you chose. The Maximum pays nothing to a beneficiary.Handbook p. 37; Retired Members' Handbook p. 17
Questions
What does my family get if I die while still working?
Your member contributions balance, plus an in-service death benefit if you're covered. The amount depends on your tier, salary and service.
What do they get after I retire?
That depends on the payment option you chose. The Maximum pays nothing to a beneficiary. Tier 2-6 members may also have part of the death benefit continue into retirement.
Source: NYSTRS Active Members' Handbook, Updated October 2026, pp. 9, 14, 16, 35, 36, 37. Also: Compilation of Laws 2026 Introduction; Retired Members' Handbook pp. 16, 17; Actuarial Valuation 2024 App. 19, p. 84. Last reviewed .