Prohibits public employers from diminishing the health insurance benefits and contributions of retired public employees

BILL NUMBER:S5714

Title of bill

An act prohibiting public employers from diminishing the health insurance benefits and contributions of retired public employees in the New York state and local police and fire retirement system

Purpose of bill

To protect the health insurance benefits of State and local public government retirees and their dependents.

Summary of provisions of bill

This bill would provide that governmental employers would be prohibited from providing retired members of the New York State and local police and fire retirement system, and the New York City police and fire department pension funds and their dependents a diminished level of health insurance benefits than the level of such benefits provided to corresponding active public employees. The bill would apply only to retired members of the New York State and Local State and local police and fire retirement system, and the New York City police and fire department pension funds and their dependents. Collective bargaining agreements would take precedence over this prohibition and there would be no requirement that governmental entities offer health insurance benefits if they are not currently provided.

Justification

Health insurance coverage is of tremendous importance to retirees and their dependents. This bill creates a uniform standard of protection which applies to both active and retired employees and their dependents, unless covered by a union contract. Police and Firefighter retirees have no other protection as they have no ability, once retired, to bargain for benefits they were promised when they were hired.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal since the existing level of benefits would be continued.

Effective date

Immediately upon enactment.