There is a good chance that your NYS Pension is the most valuable retirement asset that you have. NYS pensions are formula driven and guaranteed by NYS whereas 401(k)s, 403(b)s and other qualified retirement plans are market driven based on the underlying investments and contributions of the employee. 

Although the pension is likely the most valuable retirement asset you have, it is interesting how little time is spent ensuring that you maximize it. It is not uncommon to look at your investment statements on a regular basis: quarterly and annual reviews are quite common. With pensions however, many employees wait until within about 6 months of retirement to get their estimates. Waiting this long leaves little room for planning and maximization. We believe that your pension should be understood and planned for with at least as much care as your investment accounts. After all, if it is your most valuable retirement asset, wouldn’t it make sense to know all of your options for getting the most out of it?