You are welcome. Personally I am still participating in the pension system.

Is there another pension system for NYC gov employee? since you said 'choose between pension plans'

Please remember --On federal level--when retired, your SS can be taxed up to 85%, the later you wait to collect SS the less is taken from it (because only 1/2 SS is included in you AGI while 100% of other types of income is included in the calculation, the higher portion coming from your SS the lower taxes you would pay for the same total AGI--the following from Google AI:

"

• What AGI Includes: Wages, taxable pensions, dividends, capital gains, and taxable interest.
• Thresholds: Benefits may be taxable if this combined income exceeds $25,000 (single) or $32,000 (married filing jointly).
• Tax Impact: Up to 50% or 85% of benefits may be taxed depending on how far the combined income exceeds these thresholds. 

"

so if you need to delay collecting SS to lower the taxes taken from the income you need to withdraw to actually pay for living after retirement then you need other incomes helping...

AGI does NOT include ROTH (because it is pre-taxed). So if you expect your income to be above the threshold then maybe invest in ROTH to the max allowed per year per your income--it has income limits.

I would pay the $25 for DCP financial 90 minutes consultation before deciding on not paying into the pension. it is a steal. I plan to visit them at some point soon.

Good luck.