S 6639 increases the percentage of overtime pay excluded from retirement benefit calculations for public employees from 15% to 30% of their regular wages. It directly affects state and local government workers covered by retirement systems using "final average salary" calculations. The bill changes the threshold so more overtime pay will now be included in determining retirement benefits, rather than excluded.
Relates to primary social security retirement benefits for certain members; provides that in the computation of the normal service retirement benefit of members of the New York city fire department pension fund, there shall be no reduction for the primary social security retirement benefit.
Relates to the statute of limitations for actions based on discriminatory practices in employment; establishes action must be commenced within six years.
Provides that the court shall not reduce jury awards as excessive in employment discrimination actions unless the court finds exceptional circumstances which compel the conclusion that the jury was influenced by partiality, prejudice, mistake or corruption.
This bill requires employers with 20+ full-time permanent employees to create a written workplace violence prevention program that includes specific training to address abusive conduct and bullying. The program must identify workplace risks (like working alone or public-facing roles) and detail prevention methods, such as conflict resolution training and reporting systems for aggressive behavior. Employees must receive annual training on recognizing and reporting bullying, understanding workplace risks, and using safety measures like emergency procedures and security devices. The law applies to all covered employers statewide and takes effect 180 days after enactment.
This bill restores a 20-year service requirement for retirement benefits for New York City corrections officers and sanitation workers who are part of specific pension plans. It changes their eligibility from needing 22 years of service (as previously required) to 20 years, allowing them to retire with full benefits after 20 years without age restrictions. The policy change applies specifically to "uniformed correction/sanitation revised plan members" under New York's retirement law. This amendment directly affects these city workers' retirement eligibility, making it easier to qualify for full benefits earlier than under prior rules.
This bill allows New York City police officers to count certain prior work as creditable service toward their pension benefits. Specifically, it includes service as a school safety agent, corrections officer, traffic enforcement agent, or in the police cadet program (if immediately preceding active police duty) as if it were direct police service. To qualify, officers must pay the required contributions plus 5% interest into the New York City Police Pension Fund. This change directly affects current members of the fund who have worked in these specific city roles before joining the police force.
Authorizes retired firefighters to be employed as fire science instructors by career and technical education centers without a reduction of their retirement benefits.
Bill S 8135 expands the eligibility for World Trade Center (WTC)-related benefits to include certain employees who worked at the Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility. It amends the retirement and social security law by adding these workers to the definition of those who "participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery or cleanup operations." This change allows these specific employees to qualify for WTC-related benefits. The bill takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to September 11, 2001.
Relates to increasing the earnings limitation for positions of public service; increases the earnings limitation from $35,000 to $65,000 in 2027 and thereafter.
