Bill > A07971

This bill amends the retirement and social security law to expand disability benefits for participants in World Trade Center (WTC) rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. Specifically, the bill allows active members of the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System or the New York State Teachers' Retirement System who have at least ten years of service credit to be eligible for disability benefits, even if they were not members of these retirement systems at the time they participated in WTC operations. Eligible participants who incurred a qualifying WTC-related condition that is determined to have been incurred in the performance of duty and is not caused by their own willful negligence will receive a performance of duty disability retirement allowance equal to three-quarters of their final average salary. This change is designed to provide additional support to first responders and workers who were involved in the WTC response efforts but were not initially part of the state retirement systems. The bill aims to recognize the health risks and sacrifices made by these individuals during the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, offering them comprehensive disability benefits regardless of their membership status at the time of their service.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7971