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<edgarSubmission xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common" xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ncen">
  <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>N-CEN</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>
      <filer>
        <issuerCredentials>
          <cik>0000934298</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </issuerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <flags>
        <returnCopyFlag>false</returnCopyFlag>
        <overrideInternetFlag>false</overrideInternetFlag>
        <confirmingCopyFlag>false</confirmingCopyFlag>
      </flags>
      <investmentCompanyType>N-4</investmentCompanyType>
    </filerInfo>
    <seriesClass>
      <reportClass>
        <rptIncludeAllClassesFlag>true</rptIncludeAllClassesFlag>
      </reportClass>
    </seriesClass>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <generalInfo reportEndingPeriod="2018-12-31" isReportPeriodLt12="N"/>
    <registrantInfo>
      <registrantFullName>NYLIAC VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT III</registrantFullName>
      <investmentCompFileNo>811-08904</investmentCompFileNo>
      <registrantCik>0000934298</registrantCik>
      <registrantLei>254900751VEJ4PVTDO33</registrantLei>
      <registrantstreet1>51 Madison Avenue</registrantstreet1>
      <registrantcity>New York</registrantcity>
      <registrantzipCode>10010</registrantzipCode>
      <registrantstate>US-NY</registrantstate>
      <registrantcountry>US</registrantcountry>
      <registrantphoneNumber>212-576-7000</registrantphoneNumber>
      <websites>
        <website webpage="www.newyorklife.com"/>
      </websites>
      <locationBooksRecords>
        <locationBooksRecord>
          <officeName>New York Life Insurance Company, Attention: Colleen Meade</officeName>
          <officeAddress1>51 Madison Avenue</officeAddress1>
          <officeCity>New York</officeCity>
          <officeStateCountry officeState="US-NY" officeCountry="US"/>
          <officeRecordsZipCode>10010</officeRecordsZipCode>
          <officePhone>2125767000</officePhone>
          <booksRecordsDesc>Organizational Records</booksRecordsDesc>
        </locationBooksRecord>
        <locationBooksRecord>
          <officeName>New York Life - Records Division, Attention: Leon Angelino</officeName>
          <officeAddress1>110 Cokesbury Road</officeAddress1>
          <officeCity>Lebanon</officeCity>
          <officeStateCountry officeState="US-NJ" officeCountry="US"/>
          <officeRecordsZipCode>08833</officeRecordsZipCode>
          <officePhone>9082363369</officePhone>
          <booksRecordsDesc>Financial Accounting Records</booksRecordsDesc>
        </locationBooksRecord>
        <locationBooksRecord>
          <officeName>New York Life Insurance Investment Management, Attention: Ashesh Upadhyay</officeName>
          <officeAddress1>State Street Bank</officeAddress1>
          <officeAddress2>801 Pennsylvania Avenue</officeAddress2>
          <officeCity>Kansas City</officeCity>
          <officeStateCountry officeState="US-MO" officeCountry="US"/>
          <officeRecordsZipCode>64105</officeRecordsZipCode>
          <officePhone>2125767000</officePhone>
          <booksRecordsDesc>Financial Accounting Records</booksRecordsDesc>
        </locationBooksRecord>
      </locationBooksRecords>
      <isRegistrantFirstFiling>Y</isRegistrantFirstFiling>
      <isRegistrantLastFiling>N</isRegistrantLastFiling>
      <registrantFamilyInvComp isRegistrantFamilyInvComp="Y" familyInvCompFullName="NYLICGROUP "/>
      <registrantClassificationType>N-4</registrantClassificationType>
      <isSecuritiesActRegistration>Y</isSecuritiesActRegistration>
      <chiefComplianceOfficers>
        <chiefComplianceOfficer>
          <ccoName>Barbara McInerney</ccoName>
          <crdNumber>001903614</crdNumber>
          <ccoStreet1>51 Madison Avenue</ccoStreet1>
          <ccoCity>New York</ccoCity>
          <ccoStateCountry ccoState="US-NY" ccoCountry="US"/>
          <ccoZipCode>10010</ccoZipCode>
          <ccoPhone>XXXXXX</ccoPhone>
          <isCcoChangedSinceLastFiling>N</isCcoChangedSinceLastFiling>
          <ccoEmployers>
            <ccoEmployer ccoEmployerName="N/A" ccoEmployerId="N/A"/>
          </ccoEmployers>
        </chiefComplianceOfficer>
      </chiefComplianceOfficers>
      <isRegistrantSubmittedMatter>N</isRegistrantSubmittedMatter>
      <isPreviousLegalProceeding>N</isPreviousLegalProceeding>
      <isPreviousProceedingTerminated>N</isPreviousProceedingTerminated>
      <isFinancialSupportDuringPeriod>N</isFinancialSupportDuringPeriod>
      <isExemptionFromAct>N</isExemptionFromAct>
      <principalUnderwriters>
        <principalUnderwriter>
          <principalUnderwriterName>NYLIFE Distributors LLC</principalUnderwriterName>
          <principalUnderwriterFileNumber>8-46655</principalUnderwriterFileNumber>
          <principalUnderwriterCrdNumber>000035350</principalUnderwriterCrdNumber>
          <principalUnderwriterLei>N/A</principalUnderwriterLei>
          <principalUnderWriterStateCountry principalUnderWriterState="US-NJ" principalUnderWriterCountry="US"/>
          <isPrincipalUnderwriterAffiliatedWithRegistrant>Y</isPrincipalUnderwriterAffiliatedWithRegistrant>
        </principalUnderwriter>
      </principalUnderwriters>
      <isUnderwriterHiredOrTerminated>N</isUnderwriterHiredOrTerminated>
      <publicAccountants>
        <publicAccountant>
          <publicAccountantName>PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP</publicAccountantName>
          <pcaobNumber>00238</pcaobNumber>
          <publicAccountantLei>5493002GVO7EO8RNNS37</publicAccountantLei>
          <publicAccountantStateCountry publicAccountantState="US-NY" publicAccountantCountry="US"/>
        </publicAccountant>
      </publicAccountants>
      <isPublicAccountantChanged>N</isPublicAccountantChanged>
      <isOpinionOffered>N</isOpinionOffered>
      <isMaterialChange>N</isMaterialChange>
      <isAccountingPrincipleChange>N</isAccountingPrincipleChange>
    </registrantInfo>
    <unitInvestmentTrust>
      <depositors>
        <depositor>
          <depositorName>New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation</depositorName>
          <depositorCrdNo>N/A</depositorCrdNo>
          <depositorLei>C1I53XSII99QJVU6P586</depositorLei>
          <depositorStateCountry depositorState="US-DE" depositorCountry="US"/>
          <depositorUltimateParentname>New York Life Insurance Company</depositorUltimateParentname>
        </depositor>
      </depositors>
      <uitAdmins>
        <uitAdmin>
          <uitAdminName>New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation</uitAdminName>
          <uitAdminLei>C1I53XSII99QJVU6P586</uitAdminLei>
          <uitAdminStateCountry uitAdminState="US-DE" uitAdminCountry="US"/>
          <isUitAdminAffiliated>Y</isUitAdminAffiliated>
          <isUitAdminSubAdmin>N</isUitAdminSubAdmin>
        </uitAdmin>
        <uitAdmin>
          <uitAdminName>New York Life Investment Management LLC</uitAdminName>
          <uitAdminLei>IGJ1X7QLRC5K7CY9GE11</uitAdminLei>
          <uitAdminStateCountry uitAdminState="US-DE" uitAdminCountry="US"/>
          <isUitAdminAffiliated>Y</isUitAdminAffiliated>
          <isUitAdminSubAdmin>N</isUitAdminSubAdmin>
        </uitAdmin>
      </uitAdmins>
      <isUitAdminHiredTerminated>N</isUitAdminHiredTerminated>
      <registrantSeparateInsuranceAccount isRegistrantSeparateInsuranceAccount="Y" separateAccountSeriesId="S000009385"/>
      <numOfContracts>151299</numOfContracts>
      <contractSecurities>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Variable Annuity (f/k/a New York Life LifeStages(R) Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025700" separateAccountTotalAsset="1608453350.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="18985115.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="2044879.000000000000" numContractsAffected="19" contractValueRedeemed="206566857.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="36576264.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="332"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Plus II Variable Annuity (f/k/a MainStay Plus II Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025709" separateAccountTotalAsset="11893947.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="20425.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffected="0" contractValueRedeemed="2517749.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="0"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Flexible Premium Variable Annuity (f/k/a New York Life LifeStages(R) Flexible Premium Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025710" separateAccountTotalAsset="1677629460.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="73417468.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="924201.000000000000" numContractsAffected="11" contractValueRedeemed="259241043.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="26662918.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="219"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Premium Plus Variable Annuity (f/k/a MainStay Premium Plus Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025711" separateAccountTotalAsset="87895113.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="414553.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffected="0" contractValueRedeemed="10722559.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="153494.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="2"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Premium Plus II Variable Annuity (f/k/a MainStay Premium Plus II Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025712" separateAccountTotalAsset="10167841.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="5500.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffected="0" contractValueRedeemed="3428129.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="0"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Premier Plus Variable Annuity" separateAccountContractId="C000074526" separateAccountTotalAsset="821814970.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="7481013.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="204247.000000000000" numContractsAffected="1" contractValueRedeemed="118182076.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="9049099.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="82"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Premier Variable Annuity" separateAccountContractId="C000074527" separateAccountTotalAsset="634466358.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="4743882.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="365705.000000000000" numContractsAffected="6" contractValueRedeemed="111621584.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="10535098.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="96"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Complete Access Variable Annuity" separateAccountContractId="C000077985" separateAccountTotalAsset="203343687.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="9555006.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="3183492.000000000000" numContractsAffected="59" contractValueRedeemed="60694839.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="24840169.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="130"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Flexible Premium Variable Annuity II" separateAccountContractId="C000099458" separateAccountTotalAsset="238268911.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="16641876.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="183805.000000000000" numContractsAffected="2" contractValueRedeemed="12513013.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="150982.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="2"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Income Plus Variable Annuity" separateAccountContractId="C000111335" separateAccountTotalAsset="169543752.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="618558.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffected="0" contractValueRedeemed="13460153.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="681046.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="12"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Premier Variable Annuity II" separateAccountContractId="C000154613" separateAccountTotalAsset="803746679.000000000000" numContractsSold="2761" grossPremiumReceived="321473489.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="53846723.000000000000" numContractsAffected="365" contractValueRedeemed="32488992.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="1455047.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="12"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Premium Plus Variable Annuity (f/k/a LifeStages(R) Premium Plus Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025701" separateAccountTotalAsset="1038300679.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="11821527.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="825375.000000000000" numContractsAffected="11" contractValueRedeemed="204058097.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="43441682.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="227"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Premier Plus Variable Annuity II" separateAccountContractId="C000154614" separateAccountTotalAsset="539371867.000000000000" numContractsSold="973" grossPremiumReceived="161488888.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="9560688.000000000000" numContractsAffected="64" contractValueRedeemed="29887700.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="345223.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="12"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Complete Access Variable Annuity II" separateAccountContractId="C000154617" separateAccountTotalAsset="163739796.000000000000" numContractsSold="438" grossPremiumReceived="55627298.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="24815262.000000000000" numContractsAffected="166" contractValueRedeemed="42605434.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="13793730.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="80"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Flexible Premium Variable Annuity III" separateAccountContractId="C000154618" separateAccountTotalAsset="128647298.000000000000" numContractsSold="1845" grossPremiumReceived="48893099.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="1259108.000000000000" numContractsAffected="22" contractValueRedeemed="3875246.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="54000.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="1"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Income Plus Variable Annuity II" separateAccountContractId="C000154620" separateAccountTotalAsset="5849950.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="0.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffected="0" contractValueRedeemed="256245.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="0"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Premier Variable Annuity - FP Series" separateAccountContractId="C000193957" separateAccountTotalAsset="1772932.000000000000" numContractsSold="17" grossPremiumReceived="1910670.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="336467.000000000000" numContractsAffected="3" contractValueRedeemed="1244.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="0"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Premium Plus II Variable Annuity (f/k/a LifeStages(R) Premium Plus II Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025702" separateAccountTotalAsset="467118072.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="6436730.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="401586.000000000000" numContractsAffected="3" contractValueRedeemed="136748363.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="22351530.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="139"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Select Variable Annuity (f/k/a LifeStages(R) Select Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025703" separateAccountTotalAsset="38264865.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="133358.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffected="0" contractValueRedeemed="6894745.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="1520636.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="18"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Select Variable Annuity (f/k/a MainStay Select Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025704" separateAccountTotalAsset="14409045.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="0.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffected="0" contractValueRedeemed="1061919.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="0"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Access Variable Annuity (f/k/a/ LifeStages(R) Access Variable Annuity" separateAccountContractId="C000025705" separateAccountTotalAsset="127478392.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="1169564.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="20487.000000000000" numContractsAffected="1" contractValueRedeemed="25923510.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="11059481.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="38"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Access Variable Annuity (f/k/a/ MainStay Access Variable Annuity" separateAccountContractId="C000025706" separateAccountTotalAsset="10248260.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="0.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffected="0" contractValueRedeemed="828439.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="0"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Plus Variable Annuity (f/k/a MainStay Plus Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025707" separateAccountTotalAsset="87386018.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="100050.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="0.000000000000" numContractsAffected="0" contractValueRedeemed="11950768.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="45429.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="1"/>
        <contractSecurity separateAccountSecurityName="New York Life Essentials Variable Annuity (f/k/a LifeStages(R) Essentials Variable Annuity)" separateAccountContractId="C000025708" separateAccountTotalAsset="879487452.000000000000" numContractsSold="0" grossPremiumReceived="12102257.000000000000" grossPremiumReceivedSection1035="470958.000000000000" numContractsAffected="7" contractValueRedeemed="176280555.000000000000" contractValueRedeemedSection1035="26038968.000000000000" numContractsAffectedRedeemed="225"/>
      </contractSecurities>
      <isRule6C7Reliance>Y</isRule6C7Reliance>
      <isRule11A2Reliance>N</isRule11A2Reliance>
    </unitInvestmentTrust>
    <signature registrantSignedName="NYLIAC VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT III" signedDate="2019-03-14" signature="Charles A. Whites Jr." title="Vice President &amp; Associate General Counsel"/>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
