What happens to my retirement benefits if I change employers within New York State?

If you change employers within New York State, your retirement benefits will not be affected. The New York State Local Retirement System is a portable retirement plan, meaning that it is designed to follow you as you move from one public employer to another within the state. You will continue to accrue service credit and contributions toward your retirement, regardless of the employer you work for. Your retirement benefits are based on factors such as your final average salary and years of service in the system, which remain intact even if you change employers. It is important to notify the Local Retirement System of your new employment to ensure that your contributions and benefits are properly accounted for.