Bill > A08748

This bill modifies the Retirement and Social Security Law to adjust how military service credit is calculated for public retirement systems in New York State. Specifically, the bill exempts service credit granted under Section 242 of the Military Law from the existing three-year limit on military service credit that can be purchased. The changes allow members of public retirement systems to obtain up to three years of service credit for military duty if they were honorably discharged, have a qualifying condition as defined in the Veterans' Services Law, or are a discharged LGBT veteran. The key modification prevents service credit granted under Section 242 of the Military Law from being counted against the three-year maximum, effectively allowing members to potentially receive additional military service credit beyond the previous restriction. The fiscal note indicates that the cost of this additional service credit will vary depending on the retirement system tier, with estimated costs ranging from 3.7% to 9.5% of a member's salary, and these costs would be shared by employers through contribution rates. The bill is intended to provide more flexible and generous military service credit recognition for public employees who have served in the military.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8748