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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-DECORATION: ; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-VARIANT: normal; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</div>
  
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.", "cik": "0000723188", "assigned-sic": "6021", "irs-number": "161213679", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-13695", "film-number": "162032870"}, "business-address": {"street1": "5790 WIDEWATERS PKWY", "city": "DEWITT", "state": "NY", "zip": "13214", "phone": "8007242262"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "5790 WIDEWATERS PARKWAY", "city": "DEWITT", "state": "NY", "zip": "13214"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "COMMUNITY BANK NA, a subsidiary of Community Bank System Inc", "date-changed": "20130729"}, {"former-conformed-name": "COMMUNITY BANK NA, a subsidiary of Community Bank System Inc.", "date-changed": "20130726"}, {"former-conformed-name": "COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM INC", "date-changed": "19920703"}]}
text: UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  __________________
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of Report
  (Date of earliest event reported)
  :
  December 5, 2016
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  001-13695
  16-1213679
  (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  5790 Widewaters Parkway, DeWitt, New York
  13214-1883
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)
  (315) 445-2282
  (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
  _________________________________
  (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:
  o
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  o
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  o
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  o
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Item 8.01
  Other Events.
  On December 5, 2016, Community Bank System, Inc. ("Community Bank System") and Northeast Retirement Services, Inc. ("NRS") issued a joint press release announcing that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Community Bank System will acquire NRS.  Copies of the joint press release and investor presentation with respect to the proposed transaction are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively, and each is incorporated by reference into this Current Report on Form 8-K.
  Item 9.01
  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  (d)
  Exhibits
  99.1
  Joint Press Release, dated December 5, 2016, issued by Community Bank and NRS.
  99.2
  Investor Presentation.
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  Community Bank System, Inc.
  By:
  /s/ Scott Kingsley
  Name:  Scott Kingsley
  Title:  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  Dated: December 5, 2016