BILL NUMBER: S5726
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to
providing certain death benefits to correction officers, correction
officer-sergeants, correction officer-captains, assistant wardens, asso-
ciate wardens or wardens employed by Orange county
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to provide a death gamble amortization for
correctional officers employed by Orange County.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the retirement and social security law by adding a new
section 606-d that defines death benefits for corrections officers
employed by Orange County.
Section 2: States that Orange County shall bear all past service costs
associated with implementing this bill, with the option to spread
payments over 10 years.
Section 3: States that none of the provisions of this bill shall be
subject to the appropriation requirement of Section 25 of the Retirement
and Social Security Law.
Section 4: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill extends death gamble benefits to correction officers in Orange
County. Initially established for New York law enforcement officers,
firefighters, and teachers under Chapter 554 of the Laws of 2000, the
death gamble benefit incentivizes public employees to continue working
beyond the standard retirement age. Under this provision, if an employee
passes away before retiring, their family is entitled to receive the
full value of the employee's pension benefit. By extending this benefit
to Orange County correction officers, the legislation provides valuable
financial security for officers' families while enabling the County to
retain experienced personnel who might otherwise choose to retire.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2023: S5536B, Recommitted to Rules
2024: S5536B, Advanced to Third Reading
Assembly
2023: A6092B, Referred to Governmental Employees
2024: A6092B, Amended, and Recommitted to Governmental Employees
 
STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
See fiscal note.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.