New York Senate Bill S06854

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/25/25
• Refer: 3/25/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Authorizes Marie Glarakis, a former Suffolk county police officer who is receiving a performance of duty disability retirement, to change the designated beneficiary of her retirement benefits and her retirement option to single life allowance (Option 0).

Summary

This bill is a private pension bill for Marie Glarakis, a former Suffolk County police officer who is receiving a performance-of-duty disability retirement from the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System. It authorizes her, notwithstanding contrary law, to change the designated beneficiary on her retirement account and to change her retirement option from a joint allowance to a single life allowance (Option 0), which means no beneficiary would receive a continuing pension benefit after her death. If she submits the request to the State Comptroller within six months after the act takes effect, her retirement benefit must be recalculated and paid at the new amount prospectively from the effective date. The bill takes effect immediately and is narrowly tailored to one named individual rather than changing retirement rules for members generally.

Impact

The bill would create a one-time exception to existing retirement law and administrative rules governing pension option elections and beneficiary designations for members of the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System. It would require the State Comptroller to accept a post-retirement change in election for this specific retiree, recalculate her benefit under Option 0, and begin paying the revised amount going forward. The fiscal note states the change would create an immediate past service cost of $47,900, spread across participating employers in the retirement system.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript, recorded votes, or public debate, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill’s introduction and amendment history. The measure appears routine and individualized, which often suggests a technical or remedial purpose rather than a policy dispute. The fiscal note indicates the financial impact is limited and prospective, which may reduce controversy.

Contention

The main substantive issue is the bill’s departure from standard retirement-election finality: it allows a retiree to change a previously selected beneficiary and pension option after retirement, something generally not permitted under ordinary law. Any concern would likely come from those worried about precedent, administrative consistency, or the fairness of granting a special exception to one named individual. On the other hand, the bill’s narrow scope and modest actuarial cost suggest limited broader policy contention.