Graphic: Fix Tier 6 Rally with images of megaphones

JOIN US FOR A STATEWIDE RALLY TO FIX TIER 6:

When: Sunday, March 8, 2026 | Noon – 2 p.m. (Doors open at 10:30)
Where: MVP Arena, Albany

Register NOW


All state workers deserve dignity and respect in retirement and for Tiers 5 and 6, that promise has been broken. Some of our coworkers pay more, for longer, and earn a significantly lower pension.

  • Tier 6 members pay 3 to 6 percent of their salaries into the pension system their entire career — and their contributions grow as their salaries increase.
  • Tier 5 members pay 3 percent of their salaries over their entire careers.
  • Tier 4 member contributions are capped at 3 percent and end after 10 years.
  • Tier 6 members must work to age 63 to collect their full pension, or face heavy penalties.
  • Tier 5 members must work to age 62 to collect their full pension, or face heavy penalties.
  • Tier 4 members can retire at age 55 with 30 years of service.

What to do we want?

Parity! In both contributions and retirement age for members in Tiers 5 and 6.

Fixing the pension plan will help make the state a competitive employer in the current labor market, bolster recruitment and retention efforts, and provide a general sense of fairness for all employees.

Tier 6 of the State’s pension plan, which applies to state workers hired after 2012, provides much lower benefits and is often mentioned as one of the main reasons why employees leave state service.

Lower the pension contribution for all employees: A higher percentage for newer workers is a disincentive for them to make a career in public employment and penalizes those who receive promotions or negotiated raises.

Eliminate arbitrary retirement penalties for career employees: Workers who commit their careers to a public employer should not be penalized when it is time to retire.  Make retirement eligibility for members in Tiers 5 and 6 the same as for members in Tier 4 by allowing full retirement benefit for any member who is age 55 or older and has worked for 30 or more years.

Return to calculating pension with 2% of salary after 20 years of service.

How can you get involved?