Resources

Here you will find research and educational information regarding public pensions in general and NYSTRS specifically. This information is intended to deepen your understanding of how pensions are funded and their impact on the economy.

Browse these sections: NYSTRS Specific; Public Pensions – General; and, Pension and Retirement Research.

NYSTRS Specific

Average Employer Contribution Rates by Decade – A chart illustrating NYSTRS' Employer Contribution Rates by decade dating to the 1920s.

Distribution of Annual Pensions – A chart proving the percentage of members receiving a pension of $100,000 or more is extremely small.

The NYSTRS Pension Dollar – Facts and figures about the source of NYSTRS income and the distribution of pension dollars.

NYSTRS Briefing Booklet – An overview of the Retirement System's operations, funding methods, investment performance history, distribution of benefits and other relevant data.

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Public Pensions – General

Pensionomics 2012: Measuring the Economic Impact of DB Pension Expenditures – An economic impact study by the National Institute on Retirement Security finds that DB pension benefits have a significant economic impact: 6.5 million American jobs and $1 trillion in economic output.

State & Local Government Pension Plans: Economic Downturn Spurs Efforts to Address Costs and Sustainability – A U.S. Government Accountability Office study finds that despite the recent economic downturn, most large state and local government pension plans have assets sufficient to cover benefit payments to retirees.

Issue Brief: State & Local Government Spending – A NASRA brief finds pension costs for state and local governments are roughly three percent of total spending.

The Importance of Defined Benefit Plans for Retirement Income Adequacy – An Employee Benefit Research Institute article showing the importance of defined benefit plans in achieving retirement income adequacy for Baby Boomers and Gen Xers. Conclusion: The presence of a defined benefit accrual at age 65 reduces the percentage of "at-risk" households by 11.6%.

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Pension and Retirement Research

National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) – NIRS research focuses on retirement security with an emphasis on the role and value of defined benefit (DB) pension plans for employers, employees, the economy, and the public. Refer to NIRS' reports, briefs and educational materials.

National Association of State Retirement Administrators (NASRA) – NASRA engages in advocacy, research and education activities that promote best practices among its member systems and enhance the retirement security of their participants. Refer to NASRA's research.

Center for Retirement Research at Boston College – The Center provides decision-makers in the public and private sectors with information to better understand the issues facing an aging population. The Center's research program spans the four main areas that affect a household's retirement income: Social Security; employer-sponsored pension plans; household saving; and, labor market trends among older workers. Refer to the Center's briefs, working papers and data.

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