Bill > S05083

This bill amends the retirement and social security law to provide a special death benefit for state-paid judges and justices of the unified court system, including retired judges of the court of appeals or supreme court who are still serving, as well as housing judges of the New York City civil court. Specifically, if a judge or justice who would have been eligible for service retirement dies on or after the bill's effective date, their beneficiaries may elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to either the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of death, or the value of the death benefit and reserve-for-increased-take-home-pay, whichever is greater. The bill ensures that the past service costs associated with implementing these provisions will be fully borne by the state of New York and can be amortized over a 10-year period. The fiscal note estimates an annual increase of approximately $287,000 in state contributions and a one-time past service cost of about $4.85 million, based on 1,153 affected members with an annual salary of around $228 million as of March 31, 2024.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5083