Overtime and Earnings Limits for Tier 6

Overview

New York State Retirement and Social Security Law limits pensionable earnings, that is, the earnings that can be included in the calculation of a NYSLRS pension.

Tier 6 members are subject to limits on the amount of overtime and the total earnings that can be included in their pension. Your employer should not withhold member contributions for overtime you earn above the limit.

You can find specific information about how your pension will be calculated in your retirement plan publication. Visit our Find Your NYSLRS Retirement Plan Publication page and follow the steps listed to find yours.

 


Overtime Limits

Overtime limits depend on whether you are in the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) or the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS).

Employees’ Retirement System Members

Overtime pay above the annual calendar year limit cannot be used in your pension calculation.

The amount changes each year based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for the one-year period ending September 30 of the previous year. (Before January 1, 2018, the overtime cap increased each State fiscal year, April 1 through March 31.)

 

Calendar YearOvertime Limit
2024$20,459
2023$19,729
2022$18,233
2021$17,301
2020$17,067
2019$16,779
2018$16,406
Fiscal YearOvertime Limit
2017*$12,036
2016$15,608
2015$15,490
2014$15,261
2013$15,000
*Prorated overtime cap for April 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

 

Police and Fire Retirement System Members

Overtime pay above 15 percent of your regular annual wages is not pensionable and cannot be used in your pension calculation. Those wages, determined at the beginning of each calendar year, include regular earnings, shift differential pay, location pay, longevity payments and top of pay grade bonus.

 


Earnings Limit

Pensionable earnings (the earnings that can be included in the calculation of a NYSLRS pension) for ERS and PFRS Tier 6 members are also limited to the Governor’s salary. The maximum earnings that can be applied toward your pension calculation are shown in the chart below.

 

Earnings PeriodEarnings Limit
Beginning April 1, 2021$250,000
April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021$231,250
April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020$206,250
April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019$184,250
April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2018$179,000

 

Calculating the Limit

The earnings limit is applied on a State fiscal year (April 1 – March 31) basis, so when the Governor's salary increases at the beginning of a calendar year, the earnings limit amount is prorated. For reference, the Governor’s salary is provided in the chart below.

 

Earnings PeriodThe Governor’s Salary
Beginning January 1, 2021$250,000
January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020$225,000
January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019$200,000
April 1, 2012 through December 31, 2018$179,000

 


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