Contact NYSTRS as soon as possible to notify us of the death of a retiree, an optional beneficiary, or an active member. You may use the phone numbers provided below to report a death. You'll need to provide the following information:
- Name of the deceased.
- Date of death.
- Membership status:
- Active member and employer; OR
- Retiree; OR
- Beneficiary of a retiree.
- Name, relationship and phone number of the person making the notification.
Also refer to When a Member Falls Ill or Passes Away – a publication to help guide NYSTRS members and their loved ones through difficult times, including filing for disability protection.
To Report a Retiree Death
Call NYSTRS at (800) 348-7298, Ext. 6140 to notify us of the death of a retiree. Doing so in a timely manner will ensure the retiree's beneficiary(ies) will receive promised benefits, if payable, in a timely manner.
To Report the Death of a Retiree's Beneficiary
Call NYSTRS at (800) 348-7298, Ext. 6150 to notify us of the death of a retiree's beneficiary (i.e., option beneficiary or the beneficiary of a Paragraph 2 death benefit payable).
To Report the Death of an Active Member
Call NYSTRS at (800) 348-7298, Ext. 6110 to notify us of the death of an active member.