Historic Veterans Pension Credit Bill Finally Signed By Governor Cuomo

Media Contacts:                                                                                                                                           

Christine Geed, Communications Specialist

geed@nysenate.gov or (631) 398-8044

Jennifer Romero, Press Secretary

jromero@nysenate.gov or (631) 513-5657

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

For Immediate Release

Hauppauge, NY –Senator Thomas Croci (R, C, I – Sayville), Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Veterans, and Military Affairs, announces that legislation has been signed into law to provide military service retirement credit to all honorably discharged working in the public sector of New York State.  The measure (S7160/A9531) has been sponsored for years by Senator William Larkin and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, and has been repeatedly approved by both the Senate and Assembly.

 “This is a historic act for equity to all who have faithfully served in our military,” stated Senator Croci.  “As the Chair of the Senate Committee responsible for legislation on behalf of our veterans, I applaud the continuous efforts of Senator Larkin and Assemblywoman Paulin for their hard-fought leadership in ensuring this legislation passes. This bill will recognize that the service that our veterans have provided to our country should be considered part of their public service. I’d also like to thank Governor Cuomo for supporting our veterans by signing this bill into law.”

Under the previous version of the Military Service Credit Law, the eligibility for a service member for the military service credit program depended upon when and where the military member served, excluding veterans who served the same duties at other times of war, including those that have served in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The previous version of the law was also considered discriminatory against women since they were banned from serving in any combat positions, and essentially prohibited in serving in the theater of operations to allow participation in the military service credit program.

The new bill will take effect immediately and will allow members of the military to buy an additional three years of pension service credit after five years of public service to New York State.

All media inquiries should be directed to Senator Croci’s Communications Specialist, Christine Geed at (631) 398-8044 (call or text) or via email at geed@nysenate.gov. Inquiries for additional information should be directed to Senator Croci’s Press Secretary, Jennifer Romero at (631) 513-5657 or via email at jromero@nysenate.gov

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