BILL NUMBER: S8516
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to granting retroactive tier IV membership in the New
York state and local employees' retirement system to Richard J. Vogt,
III
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To allow Richard J. Vogt, Ill to obtain Tier IV membership status in the
New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System, retroactive to
his eligible employment date in 2000, thereby correcting an administra-
tive oversight.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill allows Richard J. Vogt, Ill, currently a Tier VI
member of the New York City Employees' Retirement System (NYCERS), to
retroactively claim membership in the New York State and Local Employ-
ees' Retirement System (NYSLERS) as of May 1, 2000. This retroactive
enrollment is contingent upon filing an application with the state comp-
troller within one year of the bill's enactment.
Section 2 assigns responsibility for any past service costs associated
with this adjustment to the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime
College, with no refund of member contributions to Mr. Vogt.
Section 3 sets the effective date of the act as immediate upon becoming
law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Mr. Vogt was employed full-time at SUNY Maritime College from May 1,
2000 through August 30, 2000, and was eligible for membership in
NYSLERS. However, through no fault of his own, he was not enrolled in
the system. This bill corrects that error, ensuring Mr. Vogt receives
appropriate retirement credit and benefits under Tier IV, which would
allow earlier retirement eligibility and improved pension terms compared
to Tier VI. Granting retroactive status acknowledges his qualifying
service and aligns with legislative precedent for correcting administra-
tive oversights affecting public employees.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost associated with this legislation, including an increase in
actuarial present value of $53,000, will be borne entirely by New York
City, with SUNY Maritime College covering the past service costs. There
will be no refund of prior contributions to Mr. Vogt. The amortized
impact includes annual payments of approximately $1,000 over 15 years.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately