New York Assembly Bill A08321

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/13/25
• Refer: 5/13/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Authorizes James Unger, a town of West Seneca police officer, to receive certain credit under section 384-d of the retirement and social security law.

Impact

The implementation of A08321 will also entail a financial commitment from the Town of West Seneca, which will cover an immediate past service cost of approximately $176,000. This is considered a one-time expense associated with granting the service credit, and it is estimated that this payment would take place on February 1, 2026. However, the bill is structured so that it will not increase the town's future annual contributions to the retirement system, which is a significant aspect for local fiscal management.

Summary

A08321 is a legislative bill aimed at authorizing James Unger, a police officer from the Town of West Seneca, to receive credit under section 384-d of the Retirement and Social Security Law. This credit is significant as it allows him to account for his previous service in the Erie County Sheriff's Department, from January 21, 2003 to September 6, 2006, which was not recognized previously for pension purposes. The bill facilitates his request for reinstatement of service credit, provided he meets certain conditions, including filing necessary applications with the relevant retirement systems.

Contention

While the bill primarily focuses on an individual's benefits, the ramifications extend to the broader context of retirement credit eligibility for law enforcement personnel in New York State. Critics may argue that there should be stricter criteria for granting such credit or concerns regarding the potential implications for overall retirement system sustainability. However, supporters emphasize the importance of acknowledging prior service as a matter of fairness and to uphold morale among community safety officers.