BILL NUMBER: S3314
SPONSOR: GALLIVAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to
certain benefits of sheriffs, undersheriffs, deputy sheriffs and
correction officers with credited service of more than twenty-five years
 
PURPOSE:
Provides an enhanced pension benefit for a Sheriff, Undersheriff, Deputy
Sheriffs' or Correction Officers working in a Sheriffs' Department,
should the applicable county elect to provide such a benefit.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends subdivision c of section 89-p of the RSSL to require
that such members be entitled to an additional retirement allowance
equal to one-sixtieth of such member's final average salary for each
year of creditable service in excess of twenty-five years, except that
such pension shall not exceed three-quarters of such member's final
average salary.
Section 2. Makes corresponding amendments to subdivision m of section
604 of the RSSL.
Section 3. Requires all costs of implementing the provisions of this act
must be borne by the county that makes election to do so, pursuant to
subdivision j of section 89-p of the RSSL.
Section 4. Notwithstands the provision of law under RSSL section 25
governing appropriations in retirement bills.
Section 5. Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Over the past several years, attrition rates among the ranks of New
York's law enforcement agencies, particularly county Sheriffs' depart-
ments, have steadily increased and efforts to attract candidates to a
career in policing and corrections has too been a challenge.
To address the increasing exodus of police and correction officers
employed by a county Sheriffs' Department, this bill would provide an
enhanced pension benefit for eligible Sheriffs' Department employees who
remain on the job past 25-years of service, consistent with the enhanced
benefits afforded to local law enforcement and State police agency
members. Importantly, such an enhanced pension benefit would only be
made available should a county choose to opt in.
Experienced law enforcement personnel are a true asset to the agencies
themselves and to the communities in which they serve. This bill recog-
nizes the necessity of their continued public service.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S.8801A/A.10548 Referred to Civil Service and Pensions/Referred to
Governmental Employees
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
See fiscal note.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S3314: 89-p retirement and social security law, 89-p(c) retirement and social security law