Exhibit 24(b)(9)

Opinion and Consent of Counsel

VOYA LETTERHEAD

U.S. LEGAL/PRODUCT FILING UNIT

ONE ORANGE WAY, C2N

WINDSOR, CT 06094-4774

J. NEIL MCMURDIE

SENIOR COUNSEL

PHONE:  (860) 580-2824  |  EMAIL:  NEIL.MCMURDIE@VOYA.COM

April 13, 2016

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, DC 20549

Attention: Filing Desk BY EDGARLINK

Re: Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and its Variable Annuity Account C Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 Prospectus Title: MAP II (HR 10) File Nos.: 033-75980^* and 811-02513

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned serves as counsel to Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, a Connecticut life insurance company (the “Company”).  It is my understanding that the Company, as depositor, has registered an indefinite amount of securities (the “Securities”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) as provided in Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”).

In connection with this opinion, I have reviewed the N-4 Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”), as amended to the date hereof, and this Post-Effective Amendment No.32. I have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such documents, trust records and other instruments I have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion. For purposes of such examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on original documents and the conformity to the original of all copies.

I am admitted to practice law in Connecticut, and do not purport to be an expert on the laws of any other state. My opinion herein as to any other law is based upon a limited inquiry thereof which I have deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

Based upon the foregoing, and, assuming the Securities are sold in accordance with the provisions of the prospectus, I am of the opinion that the Securities being registered will be legally issued and will represent binding obligations of the Company.

I consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Sincerely,

/s/ J. Neil McMurdie

J. Neil McMurdie

* Pursuant to Rule 429(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, Registrant has included a combined prospectus under this Registration Statement which includes all the information which would currently be required in a prospectus relating to the securities covered by Registration Statement: 033-75984.

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