WE WON!

Final Average Salary improvement is a done deal!

What happened?

Thanks to your activism we won the biggest win for pension reform in 20 years in the recent budget agreement — lowering the Final Average Salary calculation from five to three years for Tier 6 members!

What does this mean?

Now, an average of Tier 6 members’ last three salary years, instead of their last five salary years, will determine their lifetime pension payments. This is a big deal because educators usually earn more later in their careers. 

Why does this matter?

The new calculation means Tier 6 members will receive a bigger pension check, every month, for life. Individual situations will vary, but this works out to around $100,000 more in lifetime retirement earnings! It also gives Tier 6 members parity with Tiers 4 and 5 members. 

Fix Tier 6 Online Store
Fix Tier 6 Online Store

What's this about?

It’s been over a decade since Tier 6 became part of the New York state pension system. Since then, over 100,000 NYSUT members earn a significantly reduced pension as compared to earlier tiers. Consider this:

  • Tier 6 members pay 3 to 6 percent of their salaries into the pension system their entire career — and their contributions grow with pay raises.
  • Tier 4 member contributions are capped at 3 percent and end after 10 years.
  • Tier 6 members must work to age 63, up to 40 years of service, or face heavy penalties.
  • Tier 4 members can retire at 55 with 30 years of service.

How bad is it?

Tier 6 member

  • Retiring at 55 with 30 years, would only receive 26.4 percent of his Final Average Salary — after paying tens of thousands more into the system.
  • Can’t retire and collect his pension, without facing heavy penalties, until he’s 63.

Tier 4 member

  • Retiring at 55 with 30 years, would receive 60 percent of her Final Average Salary. 
  • Can retire and collect her pension, penalty free, with 30 years of service at 55 years old.

Why does this matter?

Fixing Tier 6 is about solidarity and fairness.

It’s unfair that some NYSUT members must work longer, and contribute more, to earn a significantly reduced pension. This should anger ALL union members. 

Fixing Tier 6 is about dignity.

The hallmark of a public-service career is the promise of a dignified retirement. With Tier 6, the state abandons its commitment to that guarantee. 

Fixing Tier 6 is about keeping talented educators in the classroom and recruiting new educators into the profession.

Forcing younger members into a lesser pension system undervalues our profession. Our work is important. Our pensions should reflect that. 

Fixing Tier 6 is about unity and power.

When we stand together in solidarity, we have power. By staying united, we’ve made big changes before. We can do it again. 


Thanks to NYSUT advocacy, we’ve already won some pension improvements.

2000

After a decade-long campaign, we ended Tier 4 contributions after 10 years and reduced Tier 4 early retirement penalties.

Spring 2022

Thanks to NYSUT advocacy, member vesting drops from 10 to five years, guaranteeing a pension benefit for 85,000 Tier 6 members.

June 2023

The NYSUT Member Organizing Institute trains member activists about NYSUT’s Fix Tier 6 campaign.

Summer 2023

Scores of NYSUT MOI activists canvass door-to-door statewide, discussing the need for pension equity with fellow members.

Fall 2023

NYSUT’s legislative team testifies before the NYS Senate about the need to Fix Tier 6 to boost retention and recruitment.

Spring 2024

The biggest pension reform win in 20 years! Thanks to NYSUT advocacy, the Final Average Salary calculation drops from five to three years for Tier 6 members!


How can you get involved?

We know how to get this done … but we can’t do it without you. Whether you’re a retiree, or a Tier 4, 5 or 6 member you can help NYSUT Fix Tier 6.

  • Visit the NYSUT MAC to digitally support union actions.
  • Join NYSUT’s Tier 6 Fix-It Team to help with direct outreach.
  • Share the Fix Tier 6 message with your local.
  • Donate to VOTE-COPE, NYSUT’s voluntary, non-partisan political action fund. Your donations help us get our message out to lawmakers so we can make change!

HELP FIX TIER 6!

Join the Fight for Fairness!

Sign up to receive updates on how you can get involved in our mission to Fix Tier 6. We will be in touch with updates and actions you can take.

FIXING TIER 6 IS ABOUT SOLIDARITY AND FAIRNESS.

It’s unfair that some NYSUT members must work longer, and contribute more, to earn a significantly reduced pension. What affects one union member affects us all.

FIXING TIER 6 IS ABOUT DIGNITY.

The hallmark of a public-service career is the promise of a dignified retirement. With Tier 6, the state abandons its commitment to that guarantee.