Allows certain members employed by division of parole to retire without reduction of benefits at 55 or older upon completing 25 or more years of service

BILL NUMBER:S5111A REVISED 01/13/12

Title of bill

An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to retirement benefits for certain employees

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends the retirement and social security law by adding section 89-x, which creates a new retirement plan for peace officers and parole revocation specialists in the Division of Parole.

Section 2 amends subdivision a of section 445 of the retirement and social security law, as amended by chapter 295 of the laws of 2007, to include peace officers and parole revocation specialists employed in the Division of Parole among those individuals qualified as eligible for benefits regardless of age.

Section 3 amends section 603 of the retirement and social security law by adding a new subdivision u which includes peace officers and parole revocation specialists employed in the Division of Parole among those individuals eligible for benefits regardless of age upon completion of twenty-five years of qualifying creditable service.

Section 4 amends section 604 of the retirement and social security law to define the parameters of the early retirement plan for peace officers and parole revocation specialists in the state Division of Parole.

Section 5 sets out the implementation provisions, defining the method and timing of the calculation and payments for past service costs and increased employer contributions.

Section 6 establishes that this act shall take immediate effect.

Justification

Parole officers are at the same risk as all other police officers in the State, as evidenced by the shooting of Officer Rooney in Queens County. Similar to other officers in this State, peace officers in the Division of Parole are armed and are trained in the use of their weapons. As a result, these peace officers make numerous arrests of armed suspects, placing themselves in grave danger. Moreover, a higher degree of physical fitness is required upon entrance into service as a parole officer than is required by the other titles within the State.

Prior legislative history

A.2538A of 2010.

Fiscal implications

If enacted, 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, 2013.

In addition to the annual contributions discussed above, there will be an immediate past service cost of approximately $9.39 million which would be borne by the State of New York. If this cost is amortized over a twelve-year period, the cost for the first year, including interest would be approximately $1.27 million.

These estimated costs are based on 1,171 known affected officers having a total estimated annual salary for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012 of approximately $96 million.

This estimate, dated November 21, 2011 and intended for use only during the 2012 Legislative Session, is Fiscal Note No. 2012-18 prepared by the Actuary for the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.