NYSUT President Melinda Person's statement on Tier 6 changes coming in 2026 state budget

NYSUT President Melinda Person released the following statement in response to announced 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 NYS and NYC 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 confirmed:

• For Tier 6 members in NYSTRS and NYCTRS, 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 and NYCERS, contribution rates will be reduced across most salary bands. New NYSERS/NYCERS Contribution Bands:
  • $75k or less: 3%
  • $75k - $100k: 4%
  • $100k - $125k: 5.25%
  • $125k or more: 5.75%
• For members in the SUNY and CUNY 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.
• For 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.

We will share additional details once the budget is finalized, likely next week.