Bill > A07336

This bill authorizes Robin Garfinkle, the widow of Howard Mahler, to file a retirement option election on behalf of her deceased husband, who worked for the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and was a member of the New York state and local employees' retirement system. Mahler passed away on December 23, 2014, after 28 years and 11 months of state service, before he could file his retirement election form. The bill allows Robin Garfinkle to submit a request to the state comptroller within one year of the act's effective date to file a joint allowance full option retirement form on her husband's behalf, with his date of retirement retroactively deemed to be December 22, 2014. All costs associated with this special provision will be borne by the state of New York, and any previous payments made by the retirement system due to Mahler's death will be deducted from the service retirement benefit. If enacted during the 2025 Legislative Session, the bill would result in a one-time payment of approximately $1.33 million, estimated to be paid on March 1, 2026.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7336