Bill > S07916

This bill establishes a new retirement program for members of the New York City Employees' Retirement System (NYCERS) who are employed as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs), allowing them to retire after 22.5 years of creditable service. This program, referred to as the "twenty-two and one-half year retirement program," defines an "EMT member" to include those currently employed in these roles or those who supervise EMTs, and specifies that "creditable city service" includes time as an EMT, AEMT, or motor vehicle operator. Participants can elect to join this program within 180 days of becoming eligible, and this election is irrevocable. The retirement benefit for those who retire under this program after 22.5 years of service will be 50% of their final average salary, plus an additional 2% for each year of service beyond 22.5, up to a maximum of five additional years. The bill also outlines provisions for deferred vested benefits for those who leave service before 22.5 years but after five years of creditable service. Importantly, this new program requires participants to make additional member contributions, specified as 6.5% of their compensation, and these contributions are generally not eligible for cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) upon retirement. The bill also makes conforming amendments to various sections of the Retirement and Social Security Law and the Administrative Code of the City of New York to integrate this new retirement program and address related matters such as employer pick-up of contributions, ensuring that the program's benefits are aligned with federal tax laws.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7916