Relates to authorizing state university police, regional state park police and detective investigators for the office of the attorney general to receive additional service credit in an optional twenty year retirement plan.
Summary
This bill amends the Retirement and Social Security Law to expand eligibility for additional pension credit under an optional 20-year retirement plan. It would allow certain members who retire after 20 years of service to purchase up to five years of prior service credit for earlier work as a State University of New York police officer, a regional state park police officer, or a detective investigator in the Office of the Attorney General, provided they previously earned credit in the relevant state retirement systems and completed the required law enforcement training where applicable.
For each year of qualifying prior service, the member could receive an additional pension benefit equal to one-sixtieth of final average salary. To obtain the credit, the member must pay the retirement system an amount equal to 3 percent of compensation earned during the 12 months immediately preceding the application, multiplied by the number of years being claimed. The bill takes effect immediately and applies to the state retirement systems that cover these employees.
Impact
The bill would modify section 384-e of the Retirement and Social Security Law by adding new subdivisions to authorize retroactive service credit purchases for specified law enforcement personnel. Its practical effect is to increase retirement benefits for eligible SUNY police, regional state park police, and Attorney General detective investigators who meet the 20-year service threshold, while also requiring employee contributions toward the cost of the added credit. The fiscal note indicates the measure would create additional costs for the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System and participating employers, including the state and local governments, though some costs would be offset by member payments.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill is generally supportive of retirement benefit enhancements for a narrow group of public safety employees. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes showing opposition or debate, and the bill was advanced in amended form, which suggests at least procedural support. The fiscal note, however, highlights meaningful cost implications, indicating that the measure is not cost-neutral even though members must contribute toward the purchased credit.
Contention
The main point of contention is fiscal impact versus benefit expansion. Supporters would likely view the bill as a targeted retirement equity measure for law enforcement personnel with specialized service histories, while budget and pension administrators may be concerned about added liabilities to the retirement system. The fiscal note estimates immediate purchase opportunities for existing members and a past service cost of about $9.0 million, with future costs borne by the state and local participating employers, making pension affordability and employer exposure the key issues.
Same As
Relates to authorizing state university police, regional state park police and detective investigators for the office of the attorney general to receive additional service credit in an optional twenty year retirement plan.
Relates to authorizing state university police, regional state park police and detective investigators for the office of the attorney general to receive additional service credit in an optional twenty year retirement plan.
Authorizes Sgt. Bethany Kidd to receive certain service credit under a twenty year retirement plan for service with the Seneca Falls Police Department.
Authorizes Sgt. Bethany Kidd to receive certain service credit under a twenty year retirement plan for service with the Seneca Falls Police Department.
Authorizes Melissa Baker to receive certain service credit under a twenty year retirement plan for service with the village of Blasdell Police Department.
Provides that a member with credited service in excess of twenty-five years shall receive an additional retirement allowance equal to one-sixtieth of such member's final average salary for each year of creditable service in excess of twenty-five years; makes related provisions.