Forest Rangers Plan

For PFRS Tier 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 Members, (Section 383-c)

Contributing Toward Your Retirement

Forest Rangers Plan
For PFRS Tier 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 Members
(Section 383-c)

Contribution Rates Legislation Insert

Temporary Change to Tier 6 Contribution Rates

Some Tier 6 members may have their contribution rates temporarily reduced if they earned overtime pay from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022. The rate decrease will not apply to:

  • Members who are already paying the minimum contribution rate of 3 percent; or
  • Members who joined NYSLRS on or after April 1, 2020.

Please visit our Member Contributions page for more information.

Tier 1, 2 and 3 Members

If you are a Tier 1 or 2 member, or a Tier 3 member covered by Article 11 benefits, you are not required to contribute toward your retirement benefits, but may elect to make voluntary annuity savings contributions to the Retirement System. These contributions, plus the interest they earn, will provide you with an annuity, in addition to your regular service retirement benefits, when you retire.

Tier 5 Members

If you are a Tier 5 member, you are required to contribute 3 percent of your reportable earnings toward your retirement benefits until you retire or have 32 years of service credit, whichever occurs first. These mandatory contributions are not annuity savings contributions and will not provide you with an annuity when you retire.

There will be some exceptions. For example, PFRS members covered by a collective bargaining agreement requiring the employer to offer a non-contributory plan that was in effect on January 9, 2010, and is still in effect on the date of membership, may not contribute.

Tier 6 Members

As a Tier 6 member, you are required to contribute 3 percent of your reportable earnings toward your retirement benefits during fiscal year 2012-13. Beginning April 1, 2013, you are required to contribute a specific percentage of your annual salary, as shown below, until you retire or have 32 years of service credit, whichever occurs first. These mandatory contributions are not annuity savings contributions and will not provide you with an annuity when you retire.

Annual Wage Contribution Rate
$45,000 or less 3%
$45,000.01 to $55,000 3.5%
$55,000.01 to $75,000 4.5%
$75,000.01 to $100,000 5.75%
More than $100,000 6%

There will be some exceptions. For example, PFRS members covered by a collective bargaining agreement requiring the employer to offer a non-contributory plan that was in effect on January 9, 2010, and is still in effect on the date of membership, may not contribute.