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A flexible alternative to defined benefit plans.

Introducing the New York State
Voluntary Defined Contribution Program

NYS and NYC agencies are required to offer the Voluntary Defined Contribution (VDC) Program to eligible employees. Find out how to implement the VDC Program at your agency.

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The Benefits of the Voluntary Defined Contribution Program

It's flexible.

The VDC Program allows employees to customize their retirement plan. They can name their beneficiaries and decide what to do with their retirement savings.

Portability.

Once vested, participant balances can move with them if they separate from service with a public employer in New York City. You can also withdraw money when you leave New York City service.

It vests rapidly.

Employees are fully vested after just one year and one day. Defined Benefit (“DB”) plans generally don’t vest for 5 years.

It lets employees take charge.

Employees can choose their investments from any or all of the authorized investment providers Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Retirement Services), Fidelity, TIAA and Voya. With DB plans, the plan sponsor chooses the investments and providers.

*If you invest in the SUNY Optional Retirement Program/New York State Voluntary Defined Contribution Program through Fidelity you will be investing in a variable group annuity contract issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ("MassMutual"), 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111-0001 and administered by Fidelity Investments. If benefit payments are annuitized under the group annuity contract issued by MassMutual, those benefit guarantees are subject to the claims paying ability of MassMutual.

The VDC is a new alternative to New York City’s DB plans. It is being made available to New York City employees in 2020.

An employee has 30 days from the date of hire to enroll.

TIAA, the Third Party Administrator, supports agencies by offering help and guidance to educate employees.

More information

Full text of VDC Program legislation (PDF)

Employee Eligibility

Full-time and part-time employees of the City of New York and certain Public Employers who have an annual salary rate of pay of at least $75,000 per year and hired on or after July 1, 2013 may be eligible for the VDC Program.

Employees are not eligible if a union represents them. You may not be eligible if you previously participated in a New York City public DB plan.

An employee has 30 days from the date of hire to elect the VDC Program.

How to Educate Your Employees

Once you master the program and make it available, it’s time to help your employees enroll.

1Share the VDC program materials

This website has in-depth information about the VDC program and makes it easy for your employees to enroll online.

This video provides a brief, interactive comparison between the Defined Benefit and Defined Contributions options available to your new employees.
View the video



2Review these resources

Enrollment guide for employees (PDF)
VDC program description (PDF)
Agency change instructions (PDF)

3Offer personal assistance

Employees can pick up the phone and call 1-866-271-0960 to talk through their options.

4Participant Education Station

Your hub for employee materials and resources.

Contact Information

NYS VDC Program Center


Administrators (through TIAA):

1-888-984-0010

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET)


Employees (through Retirement@Work):

1-866-271-0960

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET)



VDC Program Administrators

Michael Consorte

1-518-445-4094

Michael.Consorte@suny.edu

Denise Gaffor

1-212-364-5782

Denise.Gaffor@suny.edu

VDC Program Administrators for City of New York

Web address: nyc.gov/vdc

Contact us: 1-212-306-7788