New York Assembly Bill A04925

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/10/25
• Refer: 2/10/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to waiving the earning limitations for retired sworn officers employed by a district attorney as investigators.

Summary

A04925 would amend the Retirement and Social Security Law to exempt a specific group of retirees from New York’s post-retirement earnings limits. Under the bill, retired sworn officers who are employed by a county district attorney’s office as investigators would no longer be subject to the earnings cap that normally applies to retirees who return to public employment. The measure applies statewide to district attorneys of any county and would take effect immediately if enacted. The practical effect is to allow retired sworn law enforcement officers to earn unlimited compensation in these investigator positions without risking a reduction or suspension of their public pension benefits under section 212 of the Retirement and Social Security Law. It would not change pension eligibility generally, but it would create a targeted exception for a narrow class of retired officers working in prosecutorial investigative roles.

Impact

The bill would amend section 212 of the Retirement and Social Security Law by adding a new subdivision that removes earnings limitations for sworn investigators employed by county district attorneys. This would alter how post-retirement employment is treated for affected retirees, specifically exempting them from the usual income restrictions that apply when public retirees return to work. The main parties affected are retired sworn officers, district attorney offices, and the retirement system administering earnings-limit rules.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the available context suggests a straightforward, targeted proposal rather than a controversial broad reform. The bill appears designed to help district attorneys recruit and retain experienced investigators by removing a financial disincentive for retired officers who return to service. No formal opposition, amendments, or recorded votes are provided in the materials, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured from legislative proceedings, but the measure reads as supportive of law-enforcement staffing needs.

Contention

The main policy issue is the carve-out itself: the bill creates a special exception for retired sworn officers working as district attorney investigators, which may raise questions about fairness compared with other retired public employees who remain subject to earnings limits. Supporters would likely emphasize the value of experienced investigators in criminal prosecutions and staffing flexibility for district attorneys. Potential critics could argue that the bill narrows retirement rules for one occupational group and could set a precedent for additional exemptions. No specific committee objections or recorded dissent are included in the provided history.