What's happening
This bill raises the public earnings cap for New York state retirees from $30,000 to $50,000 starting in 2020.
Why it matters
Allows retired public employees to earn more from post-retirement public sector jobs before facing pension reductions. raising the cap may encourage retirees with valuable experience to return to work or stay employed in critical roles without financial penalty.
Could help address public sector workforce shortages. , especially in fields like education, healthcare, or law enforcement, by making it more attractive for retirees to fill gaps or mentor younger staff.
May have budget implications for state and local governments. , as increased retiree participation in the workforce could affect payroll costs, pension system sustainability, or the planning of workforce transitions.
Reflects recognition of inflation and cost-of-living increases since the last cap adjustment. the higher earnings limit may better align with today’s economic realities for retirees who wish or need to supplement their incomes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Retiree Earnings Limit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to civil service and pensions
- Referred to civil service and pensions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Raise Retiree Earnings Limit
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Employees · Sponsor Charles Fall
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
795
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions
AN ACT to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to increasing the retiree public earnings cap
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 212 of the retirement and social security law, as amended by chapter 74 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
2. The earning limitations for retired persons in positions of public service under this section shall be in accordance with the following table:
For the year Earnings limitation
1996 $12,500
1997 $13,500
1998 $14,500
1999 $15,500
2000 $17,000
2001 $18,500
2002 $20,000
2003 $25,000
2004 $27,500
2005 and 2006 $27,500
2007 [and thereafter] through 2019 $30,000
2020 and thereafter $50,000
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06503-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to increasing the retiree public earnings cap
Purpose
This bill would increase the amount that a public retiree under sixty- five years of age may earn in public employment without a reduction of his or her retirement benefits.
Summary of provisions
The bill amends subdivision 2 of Section 212 of the Retirement and Social Security Law. It would allow a public retiree to earn up to $50,000 in public employment without reducing the retiree's pension.
Justification
Under current law, retirees may earn up to $30,000 from public employ- ment without diminution of retirement earnings. From 1996 through 2004 this earnings limit was raised each year. The last time it was increased was in 2007 when it was raised from $27,500 to $30,000. Increasing the mount up to $50,000 for retirees under 65 years of age would allow state and local governments the ability to hire experienced employees at a significant) reduced cost without paying for employee benefits.
Pursuant to subdivision one of section 212, there are no earning limita- tions applicable to retired persons who are age sixty-five or older.
Legislative history
2018: S.5725-A - Referred to Civil Service & Pensions / A.7872-A - Referred to Governmental Employees 2017: S.5725 - Died on Third Reading Calendar / A.7872 - Referred to Governmental Employees 2016: S.4345A - Referred to Civil Service & Pensions 2015: S.4345 - 3rd Reading Calendar
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.