New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S06406

Introduced
3/13/25  
Refer
3/13/25  

Caption

Allows a beneficiary of a member whose death occurs on or after July 1, 2026 and who would have been entitled to a service credit at the time of such member's death to elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death.

Impact

The bill, if enacted, will have significant financial implications for the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System, particularly for positions such as correction officers. It is projected that the state's annual contributions could increase by $1.7 million starting in the fiscal year ending 2027, with a one-time cost of $25.6 million. The cumulative impact may affect 14,529 state employees with various salary scales, thus influencing the overall fiscal obligations of the retirement system.

Summary

Bill S06406 aims to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law in New York, specifically allowing beneficiaries of certain members who die after July 1, 2026, to elect to receive death benefits in a lump sum. The proposed legislation targets members who would have qualified for service retirement benefits at the time of their death and would enable their nominated beneficiaries to receive a sum equivalent to the pension reserve, which would have been established had the member retired on that date.

Contention

Discussions surrounding S06406 may spark debate about the sufficiency of benefits provided to public safety workers and whether the lump sum option fulfills the financial needs of beneficiaries adequately. Advocates for public employees may argue this is a necessary step in providing financial security to the families of deceased workers, while critics could raise concerns about the long-term financial sustainability of the retirement system given the added costs.

Companion Bills

NY A06288

Same As Allows a beneficiary of a member whose death occurs on or after July 1, 2025 and who would have been entitled to a service credit at the time of such member's death to elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death.

NY A10843

Same As Allows a beneficiary of a member whose death occurs on or after July 1, 2026 and who would have been entitled to a service credit at the time of such member's death to elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death.

Previously Filed As

NY A10843

Allows a beneficiary of a member whose death occurs on or after July 1, 2026 and who would have been entitled to a service credit at the time of such member's death to elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death.

NY A06288

Allows a beneficiary of a member whose death occurs on or after July 1, 2025 and who would have been entitled to a service credit at the time of such member's death to elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death.

NY A07335

Relates to death benefits for members of the uniformed force of the New York city department of sanitation and members of the uniformed force of the New York city department of correction; establishes that the beneficiaries of a member who would have been entitled to a service retirement benefit at the time of such member's death may elect to receive, in a lump sum, an amount payable which shall be equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death, or the value of the death benefit and the reserve-for-increased-take-home-pay, if any, whichever is greater.

NY S06401

Relates to death benefits for members of the uniformed force of the New York city department of sanitation and members of the uniformed force of the New York city department of correction; establishes that the beneficiaries of a member who would have been entitled to a service retirement benefit at the time of such member's death may elect to receive, in a lump sum, an amount payable which shall be equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death, or the value of the death benefit and the reserve-for-increased-take-home-pay, if any, whichever is greater.

NY S09276

Permits an eligible retirement system member to receive, in lieu of an ordinary death benefit, a death benefit such member would otherwise be entitled to receive provided such member is a state-paid judge or justice of the unified court system or a housing judge of the civil court of the city of New York.

NY A10355

Permits an eligible retirement system member to receive, in lieu of an ordinary death benefit, a death benefit such member would otherwise be entitled to receive provided such member is a state-paid judge or justice of the unified court system or a housing judge of the civil court of the city of New York.

NY HB2144

Increases the Public School Retirement System (PSRS) one-time death benefit payment to $10,000 for retiree member deaths arising on or after August 28, 2026

NY S0777

Requires that present and former employees, active and retired members, and beneficiaries receiving any retirement, disability or death allowance receive a $2,000 increase per year.

NY S09204

Provides that full escalation date means the first day of the month following the date on which a member completes or would have completed twenty-three years of credited service, with respect to service retirement benefits for uniformed members of the New York city fire department pension fund.

NY A11269

Provides that full escalation date means the first day of the month following the date on which a member completes or would have completed twenty-three years of credited service, with respect to service retirement benefits for uniformed members of the New York city fire department pension fund.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.