BILL NUMBER: S6956 Revised 5/22/2025
SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to
increasing the earning limitations for retired persons in positions of
public service
 
PURPOSE:
To increase the annual earnings limitation for retirees who return to
public service from the current statutory threshold from $35,000 to
$50,000.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends Section 212 of the Retirement and Social
Security Law by adding a new subdivision 2-a which raises the income
limit that a retired person may earn from public service employment
without impacting their retirement benefits from 35,000 to $50,000 annu-
ally.
Section 2 of the bill provides that the effective date shall take effect
immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Across New York State, dedicated public servants such as teachers, nurs-
es, police officers, and firefighters have devoted their lives to the
well-being and safety of our communities. Yet under current law, these
very individuals are discouraged from continuing to serve after retire-
ment due to an outdated and restrictive earnings cap.
This bill proposes raising the earnings limitation from $35,000 to
$50,000, a number that better reflects the realities of inflation, cost
of living, and the value of the work retirees bring when they return.
For many retirees, returning to public service is not just a job, it's a
calling. They return not for wealth, but for purpose: to fill teaching
vacancies in underserved schools, to provide stability in overstretched
hospitals, to lend experience and mentorship to a younger generation of
public servants.
Communities across the state are struggling with labor shortages, espe-
cially in critical fields such as education, healthcare, and public
safety. We cannot afford to let valuable talent go untapped because of
an arbitrary earnings limit that penalizes service and experience. This
legislation honors the contributions of our retirees and acknowledges
the urgent need for their continued involvement.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S9576 (Mannion) - Referred to Rules.
2023-24: S3144E (Mannion) - Passed Senate.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
See fiscal note.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6956: 212 retirement and social security law