Labor Issues
February 04, 2020

Fact Sheet 20-4: 9.53% Estimated Employer Contribution Rate for Teachers' Retirement System for 2020-21

Source: NYSUT Research and Educational Services

Download complete document (pdf)

New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) is recommending that school districts use an estimated employer contribution rate (ECR) of 9.53% for 2020-21 payroll.

The 9.53% estimated ECR for 2020-21 would be an increase from the current ECR of 8.86%. It is projected that this increase in the ECR will result in an additional $200 million in statewide total contribution dollars paid to NYSTRS from school districts.

The 9.53% is consistent with their earlier estimated ECR range of 9.25% to 10.25% that was issued back in November 2019.

The ECR is determined annually through an actuarial valuation of the assets and liabilities of NYSTRS.

Payments are made to the NYSTRS through deductions from district state aid payments in September, October, and November.

In July 2020 it is expected that NYSTRS will formally adopt the 2020-21 ECR.

The following table provides a history of the ECR from 1985-86 to 2020-21.

History of the Employer Contribution Rate (ECR)

Payroll Year

ECR

1985-86

21.40%

1986-87

18.80%

1987-88

16.83%

1988-89

14.79%

1989-90

6.87%

1990-91

6.84%

1991-92

6.64%

1992-93

8.00%

1993-94

8.41%

1994-95

7.24%

1995-96

6.37%

1996-97

3.57%

1997-98

1.25%

1998-99

1.42%

1999-00

1.43%

2000-01

0.43%

2001-02

0.36%

2002-03

0.36%

2003-04

2.52%

2004-05

5.63%

2005-06

7.97%

2006-07

8.60%

2007-08

8.73%

2008-09

7.63%

2009-10

6.19%

2010-11

8.62%

2011-12

11.11%

2012-13

11.84%

2013-14

16.25%

2014-15

17.53%

2015-16

13.26%

2016-17

11.72%

2017-18

9.80%

2018-19

10.62%

2019-20

8.86%

2020-21 (estimated)

9.53%


BKB/vp
108740