Grants certain county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals, fire marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals or chief fire marshals pension benefits for service beyond twenty-five years
Summary
This bill amends the Retirement and Social Security Law to change the early service retirement benefit for certain Nassau County fire marshal titles, including county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals, fire marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals, chief fire marshals, and division supervising fire marshals. Under current law, eligible members receive a pension equal to one-fiftieth of final average salary multiplied by years of credited service upon completion of 25 years of service, capped at one-half of final average salary. The bill would allow additional pension credit for service beyond 25 years, including non-fire marshal county service, at one-sixtieth of final average salary for each additional year, with the total allowance capped at 75 percent of final average salary.
The measure also assigns all past service costs to Nassau County and permits those costs to be amortized over ten years. It further provides that the bill is not subject to the appropriation requirement of section 25 of the Retirement and Social Security Law and takes effect immediately. The fiscal note estimates increased annual county contributions and a one-time past service cost, reflecting the bill’s direct financial impact on Nassau County and the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System.
Impact
The bill would amend section 604 of the Retirement and Social Security Law to expand pension benefits for a narrow group of Nassau County fire marshal employees by increasing retirement benefits for service beyond 25 years and allowing credit for certain non-fire marshal county service. It would also shift the associated actuarial and past service costs to Nassau County, with an option to amortize those costs over ten years, thereby affecting county finances rather than the state treasury directly.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill, as reflected by its advancement and passage in the Senate. No committee transcripts or recorded votes are provided, but the bill’s progression indicates institutional support for the pension enhancement. The fiscal note acknowledges added costs, yet the measure appears to have moved forward without documented opposition in the supplied materials.
Contention
The main point of contention is fiscal: the bill increases retirement benefits and imposes additional costs on Nassau County, including an immediate past service cost and higher annual contributions. Another potential issue is the expansion of pension credit to include non-fire marshal county service and the increase in the maximum allowance from 50 percent to 75 percent of final average salary. No specific objections from legislators, unions, or county officials are included in the provided record, so any opposition is not documented here.
Same As
Grants Nassau county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals, fire marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals or chief fire marshals pension benefits for service rendered beyond twenty-five years.
Grants Nassau county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals, fire marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals or chief fire marshals pension benefits for service rendered beyond twenty-five years.
Grants Nassau county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals, fire marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals or chief fire marshals pension benefits for service rendered beyond twenty-five years.
Grants Nassau county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals, fire marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals or chief fire marshals pension benefits for service rendered beyond twenty-five years.
Provides for certain death benefits to county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals, fire marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals, chief fire marshals and division supervising fire marshals employed by Nassau county.
Designates all chief fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals, fire marshal IIs and fire marshal Is employed by the county of Suffolk or a town or village therein as peace officers.