Grants retroactive membership with Tier IV status in the New York state and local employees' retirement system to William Kerr.
Impact
The passing of A09532 would primarily affect the retirement benefits of William Kerr, raising his status within the retirement system from the current Tier 6 to Tier IV. This alteration is expected to incur additional costs for the Department of Health, amounting to an estimated $12,000 annually starting in the fiscal year ending 2027. Furthermore, the village of Cooperstown will be responsible for a one-time past service cost of approximately $66,300, which will be payable in February 2027. This financial obligation underscores the economic impact that the bill may have on local government resources.
Summary
Bill A09532 pertains to granting retroactive membership with Tier IV status in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System to a specific individual, William Kerr. Kerr, who began his employment with the village of Cooperstown in 1984, was not enrolled in the retirement system despite being eligible. The legislation aims to correct this oversight by granting him membership retroactively to his employment start date and ensuring he receives Tier IV status, though he will not receive a refund on previous contributions made to the retirement system.
Contention
While the bill is focused on a single individual, concerns may arise regarding the broader implications of granting retroactive membership in public employee retirement systems. Questions surrounding fairness and equity may be raised, particularly if similar considerations are not extended to other employees in comparable situations. Discussions surrounding such legislation could therefore spark debate on how the retirement system manages membership eligibility and the criteria for retroactive adjustments, potentially leading to calls for systemic reviews to ensure equitable treatment for all state employees.
Grants retroactive membership with Tier IV status in the New York state and local employees' retirement system to Brian Landers, for his employment with the village of Lindenhurst which commenced June 19, 2006.