Prohibits elected officials from collecting retirement while still in office when the retirement is earned from an elective public office

1 Co-sponsor

• George Latimer

Title of bill

An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to prohibiting elected officials from collecting retirement while still in an elected position

Purpose or general idea of bill

This will prevent any elected official from simultaneously collecting a pension earned from a prior elected office and a salary from currently held elected position.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends Section 150 of the civil service law as amended by chapter 211 of the laws of 1995, to suspend the pension of an elected official who retires from their elected position and is either appointed to or re-elected to an elective public office and continues to receive their legislative salary until he or she vacates elective public office.

Section 2 of the bill is the effective date.

Justification

This bill would stop elected officials from simultaneously collecting government salaries and pensions. It is unfair to the general public and ethically inappropriate that an elected official who is eligible to receive a pension can retire, collect a government pension and still be re-elected to another position and collect an additional salary for the newly elected position. This bill would prohibit this loophole in the current pension system.

Prior legislative history

2013-2014, S.332 2011-2012, S.3338

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None

Effective date

Immediately.