Annual Delegates Meeting

2025 Delegates Meeting

NYSTRS welcomed more than 400 delegates from across the state to its Annual Delegates Meeting, held Nov. 2 and 3 at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Attending delegates elected Natalie McKay, a teacher in the Schoharie Central School District, to a three-year term on the Board. 

Along with the election, the 2025 Annual Delegates Meeting agenda featured a Delegate-Board/Staff Discussion and a full slate of educational seminars. Meeting materials are available below. Videos will be available by mid-November, so be sure to check back then.

Save the Date! Mark your calendars for our 2026 meeting, which will be held Sunday, Nov. 1 and Monday, Nov. 2 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

Delegates Elect McKay to NYSTRS Board

Natalie McKay, a teacher in the Schoharie Central School District, was elected in a unanimous voice vote for the 2026-2029 term on the Board. McKay was appointed to the Board earlier this year by New York State Commissioner of Education Dr. Betty A. Rosa.

“As an educator, I know the dedication and the hard work that we put into our craft,” McKay said in her acceptance remarks following the election. "And I can promise you with confidence that I'm going to carry that through, working with NYSTRS, continuing to make sure that we all have a safe and secure pension."

McKay is one of three active teacher members on the 10-member Retirement Board. The other active teacher Board members are Eric J. Iberger from the Bayport-Blue Point Union Free School District and Donald A. Little III from the Syracuse City School District.

Read more about the teacher Board member election.

Educational Seminars

The meeting provided attendees the opportunity to participate in pension-related educational seminars and discussions. Materials from these sessions are below. Check back soon for video recordings.

Sunday, Nov. 2

Fantastic Voyage! Your Benefit Profile Tour 

Your Benefit Profile holds key information about your NYSTRS membership. Unlock the mystery of how to read your Profile and how it answers essential questions about service credit, beneficiaries and more.

A recording of the presentation will be made available after the meeting.

Explore Your NYSTRS Benefits

Dive into high-impact topics and common questions in this brief overview of NYSTRS benefits, including prior service, major milestones, final average salary and more.

View the Explore Your NYSTRS Benefits presentation slides.

Estate Planning 101

Back by popular demand! Steven Kramer demystifies wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies and living wills. Kramer is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and was named a Power Lawyer by Schneps Media.

A recording of the presentation will be made available after the meeting.

From Insight to Foresight: Why NYSTRS Works

Reflect on a pillar of NYSTRS’ legacy of excellence as we examine our investment philosophy and how it contributes to the long-term success, strength and stability of the System.

View the From Insight to Foresight: Why NYSTRS Works presentation slides.

Delegate-Board/Staff Discussion

A recording of the discussion will be made available after the meeting.

Monday, Nov. 3

Social Security – What Should You Know? 

Do you know the impact of collecting Social Security early? How is the COLA calculated? What do post-retirement earnings limits mean for you? We’ll answer these questions and more.

View the Social Security – What Should You Know? presentation slides.

Building on Your Foundation of Financial Security

Discover how your NYSTRS benefits can combine with other savings to complete your retirement picture. Learn about the power of compounding interest, contributing to a deferred compensation plan, boosting your financial security with the savings catch-up provisions of a 403(b) plan, and how to choose a financial professional that’s right for you.

View the Building on Your Foundation of Financial Security presentation slides.

Election of Teacher Board Member

The election will include the adoption of Rules of Procedure, the election of chairperson and secretary, and the election of teacher Board member. Only delegates properly reported by their employer may vote.

A recording of the election will be made available after the meeting.

About Delegates 

Elected by peers at their district, NYSTRS delegates serve two important functions: to elect a teacher member to the Retirement Board at the Annual Delegates Meeting, and to serve as a liaison between NYSTRS and the members in their district.   

Unsure if you’re a Delegate or an Alternate? Check out the latest Delegates/Alternates list to confirm your position.