Report Fraud

Suspect fraud? Let us know.

Fraud, waste or abuse hurts the System, its members, retirees, beneficiaries and ultimately the taxpayer.

Contact Us

800-348-7298, ext. 2846
[email protected]

NYSTRS is committed to ensuring the integrity of the System and the benefits it provides. Our Internal Audit staff independently reviews or audits all aspects of the System, including member and employer records. If you suspect anyone of attempting to defraud the Retirement System or misusing System assets, please report the complaint of fraud, waste or abuse to us. If you choose, you may make the complaint anonymously.

How to Report Fraud

Anyone with knowledge of any wrongdoing concerning the Retirement System may file a report. This includes, but is not limited to, System employees, teachers and other school district employees, vendors and citizens.

You can report fraud, waste or abuse using one of these methods:  

  • Call our Hotline at 800-348-7298, ext. 2846. 
  • Email us at [email protected].   
  • Complete a Fraud, Waste or Abuse Reporting Form. You can submit a form electronically or send anonymously by U.S. Mail to Investigations Unit, P.O. Box 11535, Albany, NY 12211-0535. Please see the form for further instructions.

You may choose not to identify yourself when filing a complaint. If you do choose to identify yourself, NYSTRS will make every attempt to maintain confidentiality. In some cases, however, the System may be required to share information under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), or with other authorities, such as law enforcement, should the matter escalate.

If your complaint goes beyond the scope of NYSTRS, the NYS Education Department, Office of the NYS Comptroller, Office of the NYS Attorney General and NYS Office of the Inspector General also have fraud, waste or abuse reporting mechanisms.

What to Include in a Report

To sufficiently investigate an allegation of fraud, waste or abuse, it would be helpful to know specific details. 

  • Who was/is involved.
  • What type of activity was/is taking place.
  • Date(s) the activity or incident took place or is taking place.
  • Where the activity was/is taking place.
  • Reasons this activity was/is occurring.
  • How the activity was/is carried out. 
  • How to contact you if you wish to assist with the investigation.

Please describe the activity in as much detail as you can. Any information will help NYSTRS’ Internal Audit staff adequately conduct an investigation.

    • Any dishonest or fraudulent act that hurts the System.
    • Any intentional deceptive practice designed to improperly inflate a member’s pension benefit.
    • Intentional salary spiking during the final three to five years of employment prior to retirement.
    • Contractual agreements intended to inflate a member’s salary prior to retirement.
    • Mischaracterization of non-regular compensation as base salary.
    • Salary giveback schemes intended to inflate earnings for pension calculation purposes.
    • Intentional misreporting of service credit.
    • Improper enrollment of consultants or independent contractors (e.g., school attorneys) as members for service credit purposes.
    • Earnings after retirement abuses.
    • Improper school district approval of a prior service credit request.
    • Misappropriation of System funds, securities, supplies, property, equipment or other assets.
    • Questionable accounting or operating practices.
    • Fraud committed by vendors doing business with NYSTRS.
    • Fraud committed by investment managers hired by NYSTRS to manage a portion of the System’s assets.
    • Disclosure of confidential and proprietary information to unauthorized parties.
    • Forgery, alteration or falsification of records.
    • Intentionally falsifying retirement information.
    • Falsely claiming a disability retirement.
    • Theft or misuse of personally identifiable information for NYSTRS members and retirees.
    • Continuing to receive retirement benefits of a deceased member.

After the Report is Received

NYSTRS’ Internal Audit staff will conduct a preliminary assessment of the report, with one of the following results.

  • A review or audit will be conducted. The Internal Audit staff will thoroughly research the allegation and determine the nature of the action that should be taken to satisfactorily resolve the complaint. This includes adjustment of salary and/or service credit; cancellation of membership; adjustment of benefits; and, if warranted, referral to the Office of the State Comptroller and/or the NYS Attorney General for criminal prosecution.
  • If the matter is deemed to be outside the scope of NYSTRS, the complaint will be referred to a more appropriate agency or authority.
  • If the matter does not legitimately constitute a case of fraud, waste or abuse, the case will be closed.

Fraud Legislation

Under New York State law, NYSTRS is obligated to correct errors in benefit payments, seek repayment for overpayments and, as far as practicable, adjust the person’s benefit to equal the actuarial equivalent of the benefit payable.

Section 525 of New York State Education Law addresses fraud and the correction of errors. This law makes it a misdemeanor for any person to attempt to defraud the Retirement System by making a false statement to the System or falsifying System records.