Allows state university police officers to transfer to the NYSLPFRS and to be covered by the provisions of a new 25 year half pay retirement plan

Title of bill

An act to amend the retirement and social security law and the civil service law, in relation to university police officers appointed by the state university

Purpose or general idea of bill

The bill would allow State University Police Officers to transfer to the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System and to be covered by the provisions of a new twenty-five year half pay plan, with additional one-sixtieths of final average salary for each year in excess of twenty-five years, but not exceeding fifteen such years.

Summary of specific provisions

* Section 1 amends subdivision eleven of section three hundred two of the retirement and social security law by adding a new section i.

* Section 2 amends subdivision d of section three hundred seventy-five-f of the retirement and social security law.

* Section 3 adds a new Section 383-d to the Retirement and Social Security Law.

* Section 4 is the effective date of the legislation.

Justification

In 1998, State University Police Officers were statutorily recognized as police officers. State University Police have identical training and perform the same functions as other police officers. As such, these individuals deserve the same retirement benefits. State University Police Officers are seeking the same retirement benefits as afforded to the New York State Environmental Conservation Police and New York State Park Police. Police Officers have one of the highest rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, stress and other health related problems. The physical deterioration and emotional stress which police officers encounter is evidence of the necessity to maintain a young and vigorous police force. As such, a service-based retirement plan (as opposed to an age-based plan) provides the ability for such officers to retire after a specified number of years which, in turn, allows the hiring of younger individuals. This legislation recognizes the police status of New York State University Police Officers and will accomplish the goal of maintaining a younger police force.

Prior legislative history

2007/08: A8150-C/S.6130-B, Previously passed both houses but vetoed by the Governor

Fiscal implications

If this bill is enacted, we anticipate that there will be an increase of approximately $1.6 million in the annual contributions of the State of New York for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.

In addition to the annual contributions discussed above, there will be an immediately past service cost of approximately $4.80 million which would be borne by the State of New York. This estimate is based on the assumption that payment will be made on March 1, 2010. If this cost is amortized over ten (10) years, the cost for the first year, including interest, would be approximately $663,000.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately