/Stony Brook University
Human Resources

People Science Pioneers

Benefits & Total Rewards / State employees

Your future.
A stronger foundation.

Retirement plans: ERS, TRS & ORP

Understand your options. Compare the essentials. Take the next step toward your retirement.

01 / Know your options

Three plans. Two approaches.

ERS and TRS provide pensions. ORP builds an individual retirement account. Your appointment determines which options are available to you.

Defined benefit / Pension

ERS

Employees’ Retirement System

Who is eligible
Available to State employees.
Your retirement benefit
A lifetime pension based on your earnings, service, tier and retirement age.
Employee contributions
Required throughout Tier 6 membership. Rates depend on earnings; see current NYSLRS rates.
Employer contributions
Contributions support the general pension fund rather than an individual investment account.
Vesting
Five years of credited service.
Retirement age
Tier 6 full benefit at age 63. Earlier retirement may be available from age 55, with age-related reductions.
Defined benefit / Pension

TRS

Teachers’ Retirement System

Who is eligible
State employees in eligible teaching or teacher-supervisory positions.
Your retirement benefit
A pension determined by tier, final average salary, service credit and retirement age.
Employee contributions
Variable, earnings-based contributions throughout Tier 6 active membership.
Employer contributions
Employer and member contributions, together with investment income, fund the pension.
Vesting
Five years of credited service.
Retirement age
Tier 6 unreduced benefit at age 63, or at age 58 with 30 years of service. Early or inactive-membership rules differ.
Defined contribution / Investments

ORP

Optional Retirement Program

Who is eligible
Eligible full-time unclassified employees; part-time UUP employees with Term appointments; M/C employees working at least half-time.
Your retirement benefit
Your account value reflects employee and employer contributions and investment performance.
Employee contributions
Required during employment. Tier 6 rates range from 3% to 5.75%, effective October 1, 2026.
SUNY contributions
For Tier 6: 9% during the first seven years of active membership; 11% thereafter, effective October 1, 2026.
Vesting
After 366 days of active service. A qualifying existing employer-sponsored annuity contract may waive the waiting period.
Retirement income
Distribution options become available after separation. Tax and withdrawal rules apply; review the plan’s current guidance.
02 / Before you choose

Start with your appointment.

Enrollment is mandatory for most full-time employees and voluntary for part-time employees. Employees already retired from the State or a participating agency should check with Benefits before enrolling.

Confirm eligibility with Benefits   ↗
03 / Make it official

A clear path to enrollment.

Complete the online election and all required plan paperwork. ERS and TRS enrollment is not complete until the pension system processes the application.

01

Review your choices

Confirm which plans your position permits. Compare benefits, contributions and vesting before making an irrevocable election.

02

Make your electronic election

Use Retirement@Work to select your retirement program within 30 days of your hire date.

03

Complete the required application

For ERS or TRS, also complete the paper membership application and send it to HR for processing. Follow the ORP enrollment guide for provider setup.

Need help with Retirement@Work?

Live assistance is available at 866-271-0960.

Call 866-271-0960
04 / Forms & contacts

Everything you need for the next step.

Use the plan applications and enrollment guides, or connect with the retirement program directly.

Questions about your plan?

Speak with the right team.

Benefits can help with eligibility and enrollment. The plan contact directory lists ERS, TRS and ORP providers.

05 / Looking ahead

Plan your next chapter.

Find retirement resources, explore voluntary savings, and stay connected to Stony Brook.

Retiree resources

Prepare for the transition and review the University’s retirement information.

Open resource   ↗
Can unused sick leave help with retirement health insurance costs?

Unused sick leave accruals can be converted into a monetary value to offset out-of-pocket health insurance premiums during retirement.

Benefits & Total Rewards

A decision today.
A foundation for tomorrow.

Review your options and complete your enrollment within 30 days.

Begin at Retirement@Work   ↗