Bill > A08801

This bill modifies retirement eligibility requirements for members of the unified court system, specifically uniformed court officers and peace officers. It restores the previous "55/30" retirement option (allowing retirement at age 55 with 30 years of service) and reduces the normal retirement age from 63 to 62 for these specific court system employees. Under the current law, most public employees who became members after April 2012 must retire at age 63, but this bill creates a special exception for court system officers. The bill allows these court system officers to retire without benefit reduction when they reach 55 years old and have 30 or more years of service, and it lowers their normal retirement age to 62. The fiscal note indicates this change will cost the state approximately $2.8 million annually in additional contributions starting in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, with a one-time past service cost of about $26.4 million. The estimated cost is based on 2,757 affected members with an annual salary of around $202 million as of March 31, 2024. The bill aims to provide more flexible retirement options for uniformed court officers and peace officers employed by the unified court system.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8801