Bill > A07824

This bill authorizes Janice Middlebrooks, the widow of William James Middlebrooks, to file a retirement option election on behalf of her deceased husband, who was employed by the Albion Correctional Facility and was a member of the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System (NYSLERS). William Middlebrooks was diagnosed with cancer in January 2004, was advised on October 31, 2004 that he could not return to work due to his illness, and passed away on December 3, 2006 before filing a retirement election form. The bill allows Janice to submit a request to the state comptroller by December 31, 2025, to file a joint allowance full option retirement election, with his disability retirement retroactively deemed effective as of November 1, 2004. The retirement benefits will be paid to Janice and will be in addition to any existing death benefits. A fiscal note indicates that if enacted during the 2025 Legislative Session, the bill would have an immediate past service cost of approximately $472,000, which would be shared by the State of New York and local participating employers in NYSLERS.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7824