Bill > S07529

This bill amends the retirement and social security law to provide enhanced disability retirement benefits for New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) employees who participated in World Trade Center (WTC) rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. Specifically, the bill allows NYCTA members who became physically or mentally incapacitated as a direct result of their participation in WTC operations on or after September 11, 2001, to receive a performance of duty disability retirement allowance equal to three-quarters of their final average salary. This represents an improvement over the current disability retirement benefit, which is generally calculated as the greater of one-third of final average salary, one-sixtieth of final average salary multiplied by years of service, or the standard service retirement benefit. The bill also provides these employees the right to invoke a medical review procedure when applying for the disability pension. The fiscal note indicates that as of June 30, 2024, there are 59 current members receiving WTC-related disability benefits and 224 active members potentially eligible for this enhanced benefit, with an estimated average salary of $113,900 for active members. The bill aims to provide additional support and recognition for NYCTA employees who were involved in the critical rescue and recovery efforts following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7529