Allows Maureen Callen to file a request for Tier IV status in the New York state and local employees' retirement system with the state comptroller

BILL NUMBER:S4556

Title of bill

An act in relation to allowing Maureen Callen to file a request for Tier IV status in the New York state and local employees' retirement system with the state comptroller

Purpose

This bill allows Maureen Callen to apply for Tier IV reinstatement in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, Maureen Callen, a member of the New York state and local employees' retirement system employed by the town of Southeast in Putnam county, who was employed by Brewster Central District in Putnam county as a food service worker on September 16, 1994 and worked until June 30, 2000 whereupon she was employed by the taxation department in the town of Southeast in Putnam county beginning on August 29, 2000, and who, for reasons not ascribable to her own negligence, failed to become a member of the New York state and local employees' retirement system while so employed by the Brewster Central School District in Putnam County, shall be deemed to have joined the New York state and local employees' retirement system on September 16, 1994, if on or before December 31, 2015 she shall file an application, Maureen Callen shall be granted Tier IV status in the New York state and local employees' retirement system and be eligible for all the rights and benefits thereof.

Section 2: No contributions made to the New York state and local employees' retirement system by Maureen Callen shall be returned pursuant to this act.

Section 3: All past costs of implementing the provision of this act shall be borne by the Town of Southeast in Putnam County.

Justification

Maureen Callen was first employed by the Brewster Central School District on September 16, 1994 as a food service worker till June 30, 2000. On August 29, 2000, Maureen was hired by the Town of Southeast as a seasonal part time clerk in the Tax Receivers Office; however, she was not offered membership in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System by the town during such employment. This legislation allows Ms. Callen to receive the Tier status she should have received if the Town offered her membership in the Retirement System when she first became employed by the Town. It should be noted that all costs associated with this legislation shall be borne by the Town of Southeast.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

If this legislation is enacted during the 2015 legislative session, we anticipate that there will be an increase of approximately $1,150 in the annual contributions of the town of Southeast in Putnam County for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. In addition to the annual contributions discussed above, there will be an immediate past service cost of approximately $7,550 which will be borne by the town of Southeast in Putnam County.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.