Legislature passes untargeted 25/55 early retirement bill

The state Legislature passed an Early Retirement bill, A.11805/S.8408, at the end of the session in June.

It would create two 90-day window periods — one in the current state fiscal year which ends March 31, 2007, and the second in the next fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2008 — during which state employees could retire without penalty if they are age 55 or older and have at least 25 years of service credit.

Essentially, this would temporarily give members of pension Tiers 2, 3 and 4 the retirement option permanently available to members of Tier 1.

The state director of employee relations would decide when to open the two windows for state workers.

The offer would extend to all eligible employees, even those in positions the state would have to backfill. However, the state could deny the offer to employees in positions it deems critical for maintaining the health and safety of the public. Such denials could be challenged in court.

This bill is still subject to the governor’s signature or veto. It differs from both the ERI legislation proposed by Gov. George Pataki in his January Executive Budget, and the ERI provisions he sent to the Legislature on the final day of its session. Neither of these proposals were passed. — Sherry Halbrook

The Communicator July/Aug. '06

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