What's happening
This bill allows Ronald Schultz to retroactively join Tier IV of the state retirement system.
Why it matters
Impacts Erie County public employees. This bill specifically affects Ronald Schultz, a current employee of the Erie County Water Authority, setting a precedent for how similar requests from other local government workers in Erie County or elsewhere might be handled in the future.
Financial implications for local government. The bill requires Erie County—not the state or retirement system—to pay all the costs associated with recalculating and crediting Schultz’s past service, potentially affecting county finances or budget planning.
Changes retirement benefits for the individual. By moving Schultz from Tier V to Tier IV, the bill grants him access to more favorable pension benefits (such as earlier retirement age and potentially higher pension payouts), highlighting differences in retirement security between tiers and the significance of administrative errors in public employee benefits.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Ronald Schultz
The individual directly affected by the bill, who stands to receive retroactive Tier IV pension benefits that are generally more favorable than Tier V.
Erie County (specifically the County of Erie)
The local government entity responsible for bearing the financial cost of this change in pension status.
New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System (NYSLERS)
The state agency administering the pension system, which will have to process and manage this special retroactive membership and tier adjustment.
Other Public Employees and Unions
Employees and their representative organizations who may be interested in the precedent set by granting individual exceptions to retirement tier status, potentially affecting future advocacy or legislative requests.
Headline styles
Grant Retirement Status Change
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 63
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to civil service and pensions
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10430
IN SENATE
May 15, 2026
Introduced by Sen. BASKIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions
AN ACT to grant retroactive tier IV membership in the New York state and local employees' retirement system to Ronald Schultz
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, Ronald Schultz, a tier V member of the New York state and local employees' retirement system employed by the Erie County Water Authority, who was employed by the Erie County Sewer Authority from July 1, 2002 through November 9, 2002, and who, for reasons not ascribable to his own negligence, failed to become a member of such retirement system during such employment with the Erie County Sewer Authority in 2002, shall be deemed to have joined the New York state and local employees' retirement system on July 1, 2002 and shall be granted Tier IV status in such retirement system, if, within one year of the effective date of this act, he shall file a written request with the state comptroller.
§ 2. No contributions made to the New York state and local employees' retirement system by Ronald Schultz shall be returned or refunded to him pursuant to this act.
§ 3. All past service costs of implementing the provisions of this act shall be borne by the county of Erie.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15919-01-6
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Purpose
This bill grants retroactive tier IV membership in the NY state and local employees' retirement system for Ronald Schultz with an effective date of July 1, 2002.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Authorizes Ronald Schutlz to apply for retroactive membership in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System with an effective date of July 1, 2002.
Section 2: States no contributions made to the retirement system shall be returned or refunded.
Section 3: States that all past employer costs of implementing the provisions of this act shall be borne by the County of Erie.
Section 4: Provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Mr. Ronald Schultz was employed by the Erie County Sewer Authority from July 1, 2002, until November 9, 2002. He was eligible to become a member of the New York state and local employees' retirement system and through no fault of his own failed to do so. This bill would correct this error by authorizing him to apply for retroactive membership in Tier IV with an effective date of July 1, 2002.
Legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
See attached fiscal note.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.