New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S07113

Introduced
4/1/25  
Refer
4/1/25  
Report Pass
5/13/25  

Caption

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.

Summary

Bill S07113 proposes amendments to the retirement and social security law concerning death benefits for members of the uniformed force of the New York City Fire Department. Specifically, it allows beneficiaries of eligible Tier 3 members who die on or after July 1, 2025, to choose between a lump sum payment or an annuity based on the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired at the time of death. This change aims to enhance financial protection for the families of firefighters by providing them with more flexible options for receiving death benefits.

Impact

If enacted, this bill will significantly alter the death benefit structure for Tier 3 members of the New York City Fire Pension Fund. Currently, these members are entitled to a death benefit equal to three times their salary plus the return of their accumulated contributions. The new provisions will allow for a potentially larger benefit, calculated as the greater of the current death benefit or the pension reserve value. This change is expected to increase employer contributions over the next 25 years, as outlined in the fiscal note accompanying the bill.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding Bill S07113 appears to be positive, as evidenced by the unanimous support in the Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee, which voted 7-0 in favor of the bill. This indicates a consensus among committee members regarding the importance of providing enhanced benefits to the families of fallen firefighters.

Contention

While there is currently no recorded opposition to the bill, potential points of contention could arise regarding the fiscal implications of increased employer contributions and the sustainability of the pension fund. Stakeholders may have differing views on the balance between providing adequate benefits and managing pension costs effectively.

Companion Bills

NY A07899

Same As 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.

Previously Filed As

NY A07899

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.

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 A06940

Relates to primary social security retirement benefits for certain members; provides that in the computation of the normal service retirement benefit of members of the New York city fire department pension fund, there shall be no reduction for the primary social security retirement benefit.

NY S06401

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 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 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 A11269

Provides that full escalation date means the first day of the month following the date on which a member completes or would have completed twenty-three years of credited service, with respect to service retirement benefits for uniformed members of the New York city fire department pension fund.

NY S09204

Provides that full escalation date means the first day of the month following the date on which a member completes or would have completed twenty-three years of credited service, with respect to service retirement benefits for uniformed members of the New York city fire department pension fund.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.