New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S05083

Introduced
2/18/25  
Refer
2/18/25  
Report Pass
4/2/25  
Engrossed
6/10/25  
Refer
6/10/25  
Engrossed
6/11/25  
Enrolled
12/8/25  

Caption

Permits an eligible retirement system member to receive, in lieu of an ordinary death benefit, a death benefit such member would otherwise be entitled to receive provided such member is a state-paid judge or justice of the unified court system or a housing judge of the civil court of the city of New York.

Summary

Bill S05083 amends the retirement and social security law to provide enhanced death benefits for state-paid judges and justices, including retired judges who serve under specific certifications. It allows beneficiaries to receive a lump sum payment equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the judge or justice retired on the date of their death, or the value of the death benefit and reserve-for-increased-take-home-pay, whichever is greater. This provision aims to ensure that the families of judges and justices are adequately compensated in the event of their untimely passing while still in service or shortly after retirement.

Impact

The bill modifies existing death benefit provisions for judges and justices within the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System. It introduces a new calculation for death benefits that could potentially increase the financial obligations of the state. The estimated cost of implementing this bill is approximately $287,000 in annual contributions, with a one-time past service cost of about $4.85 million, which will be amortized over ten years. This change is expected to affect around 1,153 members of the retirement system.

Sentiment

The sentiment around Bill S05083 appears to be overwhelmingly positive, as evidenced by the unanimous support it received during committee votes and final passage in both the Senate and Assembly. The bill passed with votes of 7-0 in the Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee, 22-0 in the Senate Finance Committee, and 58-0 in the Senate Floor Vote, followed by a 136-3 vote in the Assembly. This strong support indicates a consensus on the importance of providing adequate benefits to the families of judges and justices.

Contention

There were no notable points of contention regarding Bill S05083 during the discussions and voting process. The bill received unanimous support in all committee and floor votes, suggesting that there were no significant objections or concerns raised by legislators. This lack of contention may reflect a shared understanding of the need for improved death benefits for judges and justices.

Companion Bills

NY A05898

Same As Permits an eligible retirement system member to receive, in lieu of an ordinary death benefit, a death benefit such member would otherwise be entitled to receive provided such member is a state-paid judge or justice of the unified court system or a housing judge of the civil court of the city of New York.

Previously Filed As

NY A10355

Permits an eligible retirement system member to receive, in lieu of an ordinary death benefit, a death benefit such member would otherwise be entitled to receive provided such member is a state-paid judge or justice of the unified court system or a housing judge of the civil court of the city of New York.

NY S09276

Permits an eligible retirement system member to receive, in lieu of an ordinary death benefit, a death benefit such member would otherwise be entitled to receive provided such member is a state-paid judge or justice of the unified court system or a housing judge of the civil court of the city of New York.

NY A05898

Permits an eligible retirement system member to receive, in lieu of an ordinary death benefit, a death benefit such member would otherwise be entitled to receive provided such member is a state-paid judge or justice of the unified court system or a housing judge of the civil court of the city of New York.

NY A07335

Relates to death benefits for members of the uniformed force of the New York city department of sanitation and members of the uniformed force of the New York city department of correction; establishes that the beneficiaries of a member who would have been entitled to a service retirement benefit at the time of such member's death may elect to receive, in a lump sum, an amount payable which shall be equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death, or the value of the death benefit and the reserve-for-increased-take-home-pay, if any, whichever is greater.

NY A10843

Allows a beneficiary of a member whose death occurs on or after July 1, 2026 and who would have been entitled to a service credit at the time of such member's death to elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death.

NY S06406

Allows a beneficiary of a member whose death occurs on or after July 1, 2026 and who would have been entitled to a service credit at the time of such member's death to elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death.

NY A11387

Relates to age and service eligibility requirements for ordinary retirement for members of the unified court system

NY A10382

Authorizes a death benefit option for the beneficiary of deceased justice Jerry Garguilo, a justice of the unified court system.

NY S09138

Authorizes a death benefit option for the beneficiary of deceased justice Jerry Garguilo, a justice of the unified court system.

NY S07113

Provides for beneficiaries of the death benefits of an eligible uniformed member of the fire department of the city of New York the ability to elect to receive such benefits in a certain lump-sum amount.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.