On Board Online • February 23, 2026
By Paul Heiser
Senior Research Analyst
The state Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) has released an administrative bulletin recommending school districts use an employer contribution rate of 8.24% of 2026-27 payroll when planning their 2026-27 budgets. That estimated contribution rate is down from the 9.59% for current year school budgets.
The projected decrease could be incredibly impactful for many school districts. For example, in White Plains, teacher salaries are more than $87 million. A decrease in the TRS employer contribution rate from 9.59% to 8.24% would save the district nearly $1.2 million.
The projected rate is consistent with a TRS administrative bulletin issued last November that estimated the rate would fall somewhere between 8.25% and 8.75%.
Although the funds associated with this employer contribution rate will not be collected until fall 2027, TRS issued the bulletin well in advance to assist with budget planning.
The TRS board is expected to formally adopt the 2026-27 employer contribution rate at its July meeting and issue an administrative bulletin shortly thereafter.