The New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) comprises two different systems, administered by the same staff. The Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) with more than 608,600 members and The Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) with more than 34,500 members. There are also more than 430,308 pensioners and beneficiaries in the System bringing the total to more than 1,073,400 participants, as of March 31, 2015. ERS provides service and disability retirement benefits, as well as death benefits to employees of participating public employers in non-teaching positions, exclusive of New York City. PFRS provides service and disability retirement benefits, as well as death benefits to police officers and firefighters who work for participating public employers, exclusive of New York City. The New York State Comptroller is the administrative head of the Retirement System. As fiduciary, the Comptroller acts in the best interests of the System’s members and retirees. The Comptroller is the trustee of the Common Retirement Fund (valued at $184.5 billion as of March 31, 2015). He also ensures that the 346 different benefit programs offered by NYSLRS are managed properly and effectively.
