Governor Cuomo Signs Senator Lanza’s Bill to Provide Nyc Employees WITH Military Service Credit

Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law Senate Bill S.4819, authored by Senator Andrew Lanza, to grant retirement service credit for members of the New York City retirement systems called to military duty on or after September eleventh, 2001. The bill amends the Military Law to include City Employees for military service credit already granted to all other State, municipal and school district employees.

               Senator Lanza said, “We can never do enough to repay the debt we owe to those who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. Their service protecting our Country should count towards their service protecting our City.”

               After September 11th, 2001 New Yorkers across the state, including city and state employees were called to active military duty for homeland security purposes. In accordance with existing civil service principles, and to assist the public employees that answered this call, the New York State Legislature acted in 2005 to ensure that the time served in this capacity would be reflected in their credited retirement plans. Due to a technical error, this legislation omitted members of the New York City retirement systems.  This bill will bring current law in line with the original bill’s stated purpose.

               The law amends Military Law Section 243-d to provide non-contributory retirement service credit for any member of the New York City Retirement Systems   (NYCRS) who was called to active military duty on or after September 11, 2001 and prior to January 1, 2006, who did not receive his or her full salary from a participating employer and who otherwise would be eligible to receive retirement service credit for such active military service.

               The new law takes effect immediately.

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