Bill > A08565

This bill amends the Retirement and Social Security Law to include Afghanistan as a theater of operations for which members of public retirement systems in New York State can receive credit for military service during certain hostilities. Specifically, it allows members to claim up to three years of credit for military service in Afghanistan from August 2, 1990, to the end of those hostilities, provided they have at least five years of credited service and apply before retirement. To obtain this credit, members must make a payment equal to three percent of their current annual compensation for each year of military service being claimed. The bill is deemed to have been in effect since December 21, 1998, and takes effect immediately. The fiscal note indicates that this provision aims to extend benefits similar to those for service in other conflict zones, with associated costs for members and employers depending on the number of individuals who utilize this credit.