Amd SS13-271, 13-281, 13-385, 13-395, 13-191,13-192 & 13-194, NYC Ad Cd
Extends the benefits of the variable supplements fund to all New York city police officers, firefighters, housing police, transit police and registered domestic partners.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2589
SPONSOR: Titone TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the administrative code of the city of
New York, in relation to extending the benefits of the variable supple-
ments fund to all New York city police officers, firefighters, housing
police, transit police, correction officers and registered domestic
partners
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: To extend the benefits of the vari-
able supplements fund to all New York city police officers, firefight-
ers, housing police, transit police, correction officers and their
registered domestic partners.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: This legislation adds subdivision (f)
to §§ 13-271 and 13-281 of the Administrative Code of the City of New
York which would add all police officers who are ineligible for the
variable supplements fund. This includes all disabled and vested New
York City police officers and line of duty widows and widowers, and
registered domestic partners, who vested in a retirement system prior to
the effective date of this subdivision. The Administrative Code of the
City of New York is amended by adding a new subdivision (h) to § 13-385
and subdivision (f) to § 13-395 to add all firefighters who are ineligi-
ble for the variable supplement fund. This includes all disabled and
vested New York City firefighters and line of duty widows and widowers,
and registered domestic partners, who vested in a retirement system
prior to the effective date of this subdivision. The Administrative
Code of the City of New York is amended by adding a new paragraph (i) to
subdivision 4 of § 13-191 and a new paragraph (h) to subdivision 4 of §
13192 to add all transit police officers who are ineligible for the
variable supplement fund. This includes all disabled and vested New York
City transit police officers and line of duty widows and widowers, and
registered domes tic partners, who vested in a retirement system prior
to the effective date of this subdivision. The Administrative Code of
the City of New York is amended by adding a new paragraph (I) to subdi-
vision 4 of § 13-191 and a new paragraph (h) to subdivision 4 of .13-192
to add-all-housing police officers who are ineligible-for the variable
supplement fund. This includes all disabled and vested New York City
housing police officers and line of duty widows and widowers, and regis-
tered domestic partners, who vested in a retirement system prior to the
effective date of this subdivision. This legislation adds subdivision
(f) to §§ 13-271 and 13-281 of the Administrative Code of the City of
New York which would add all correction officer members who are ineligi-
ble for the variable supplements fund. This includes all disabled and
vested New York City corrections officers and line of duty widows and
widowers, and registered domestic partners, who vested in a retirement
system prior to the effective date of this subdivision.
JUSTIFICATION: The current variable supplement fund is only available
to those officers who retire after 20 years of service. Anyone who
retired with a disability pension has been excluded. All retirees should
be treated equally, therefore this bill would provide the variable
supplement benefit to all retired police officers, firefighters, housing
police, transit police and registered domestic partners from the effec-
tive date into the future. Former members of the NYC Housing and Transit
Police that retired for service after June 30, 1987 presently receive a
supplemental benefit from the Variable Supplements Fund (hereinafter
referred to as the "VSF"). The VSF was enacted into law as a result of a
fact-finders award in 1970 and was granted to members of the NYC Police
and Fire pension funds that retired for service after October 1, 1968.
In the mid-1960s members of the Housing and Transit Police were granted
and given pay and retirement benefit parity. However, the VSF was not
bestowed upon similarly situated members of those two departments until
legislation was enacted effective after June 30, 1987, As a matter of
equity and fairness, the VSF should be granted to all members of the
Housing and Transit Police that retired for service subsequent to Octo-
ber 1, 1968.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2012: A.5322 - Referred to Governmental Employees.
2011: A.5322 - Referred to Governmental Employees.
2010: A.8344A - Referred to Governmental Employees.
2009: A.8344 - Referred to Governmental Employees.
2008: A.11345 - Referred to Governmental Employees.
2006: A.6599 - Referred to Governmental Employees.
2005: A.6599 - Referred to Governmental Employees.
2004: A.1349 - Referred to Governmental Employees.
2003: A.1349 - Referred to Governmental Employees.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately.
