Queens, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato received outpouring gratitude from unions across New York after her pension and Tier reform legislation, A.9133, was included in the recent State budget. Unions like the UFA (United Firefighters Association), which represents NYC firefighters in the FDNY, credited Pheffer Amato for getting reform passed and cited it as a “significant legislative victory.” The change will apply to the retirement plan for members of Tier 6 (otherwise known as Tier 3 in the police and fire pensions), from a 5-year final average salary calculation, to now being calculated from the ‘highest 3 consecutive years’ to determine a person’s pension.

“I’m honored to have worked hand-in-hand with unions and delivered this monumental improvement for our public employees and their families. Unions throughout our State made their voices known, and together, we made a more equitable and fair pension system. With this change, we will recruit and retain hard working individuals who will help New York move forward. Whether it be a first responder, teacher, bus driver, nurse, court officer, technician, or any governmental employee, you deserve respect and pension equity - and this is a step in ensuring you have that,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato.

Mario Cilento, President of the New York State AFL-CIO, said, “This is the most significant improvement for our public servants in more than 20 years. It marks a momentous stride towards restoring fairness and retaining invaluable public sector workers. I thank Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato for recognizing the importance of making this change which will help recruit and retain public employees and improve services in the future.” The New York State AFL-CIO is a federation of 3,000 affiliated public sector, private sector, and building trades unions throughout New York, representing 2.5 million members, retirees and their families.

"The change to Tier 6 is the next step in our collective work to reverse an injustice and to help the city and the state to recruit and retain educators and other public servants. We thank Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato for her leadership in making this happen, and we look forward to working together to continue these vital pension reforms,” said United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew.

"PEF is very thankful for Chairwoman Pheffer Amato’s efforts to improve the Tier 6 retirement plan in this year's budget. This law will help the state be more competitive in a tight labor market, while also working to reduce the $1 billion in overtime costs the state pays annually to address its ongoing staffing shortages. The improvements to the Tier 6 plan, which are both affordable and sustainable, will help the state attract and retain the public sector workers it needs to deliver efficient and effective services to taxpayers,” said Wayne Spence, NYS Public Employees Federation (PEF) President, representing 50,000 professional, scientific and technical workers in NY State.

UFA President Andrew Ansbro said, “Albany listened to the needs of governmental workers who put their lives on the line each and every day. I thank all our members who made their voices and demands loud and clear! Of course, Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato's outspoken support and ability to channel this message into law was instrumental as she made this happen for Tier 3 FDNY firefighters. This is what a true partnership looks like and getting things done that help our State and City workforce.”

"These legislative accomplishments are due to persistent engagement …the state budget having a more favorable calculation for Tier 6 retirement benefits and the carry-over of overtime pension calculation benefits from the COVID-19 years is a major victory for TWU Local 100 and the labor movement,” said Richard Davis, President of Transit Workers Union Local 100.