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October 06, 2024
2013 Veterans Legislation
Updated On: Apr 21, 2013

Please note:  On April 16, 2013 before attending the Alliance meeting in Albany William Wicoff & Ed Opaciuch met with Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (new) Chairman of the Assembly Veterans' Affairs Committee and he will have his staff begin work on the bill.  In addition we met with Senator Ball's staff as well and he is interested in introducing the bill once it is drafted. 

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NEW YORK

POLICE & FIRE  RETIREE ASSOCIATION, Inc.

P.O. Box 7 * Greystone Station * Yonkers, New York 10703

Phone/Fax 914-961-3800  *  NYPFRA.org   

Dear Senator Ball:  

                                                                                                                           January 13, 2013

As the Chairman of the Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs Committee I would like to bring to your attention two former bills that were drafted to provide that a member of a public retirement system of the State who retired prior to Oct. 19, 2000 application to the retirement system for a supplemental military allowance.

The present law: Chapter 548 of the laws of 2000 permits veterans in active public service to have up to three years of military service credit added to their retirement service.  There is no provision to allow public retirees to receive a commensurate benefit who retired prior to 2000.

It is unfair to ignore the service provided by veterans to our state and country now that active employees can receive this benefit.  A new bill would overcome the injustice by providing retired veterans with a comparable supplemental military allowance.

Prior Legislative History:

2002- A9839 sponsor Assemblyman Tocci-passed in the Assembly

          S2329 sponsor Senator Morahan-referred to Civil Ser. & Pensions.

2007-A6805 sponsor Assemblyman Towns-referred to Governmental employees Committee.

         S4555 sponsor Senator Robach - referred to Civil Service & Pensions Committee.

Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.  Please contact us for any further information or questions on the legislation.

Please note we have a meeting scheduled to meet with you at your Albany office on Jan. 15, 2013 at 11:20am.  The Veterans bill and Health Insurance Protection Legislation S4371/A2007 will be part of our discussion.  Please note that we will be presenting the same information to Assemblyman Ramos Chairman of the Assembly Veterans' Affairs Committee today.

Thank you,

William Wicoff                                                                        Edward Karasinski

President                                                                                   Legislative Chairman

New York Police and Fire Retiree Association, Inc.               914-423-8248

Office: 914-961-3800

Cell: 914-772-1425

Attachment enclosed:  Reasons for a Veterans Bill



Reasons for a Veterans Bill 

1. Provide that a member of a public retirement system of the State
who retired prior to October 19, 2000 may make application to the
retirement system for a supplemental military allowance;

2. Apply to persons who meet the eligibility requirements of the
veteran's service credit buy back law;

3. Provide a supplemental military allowance equal to .25% for each
month of military service of such person, to a maximum of 36 months;

4. Provide that the supplemental military allowance shall apply to the
first $15,000, prior to optional modification, of the retired person;

5. Require the application for the supplemental military allowance be
made no later than December 31, 2003.

 EFFECTS OF PRESENT LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER :  Chapter 548 of
the Laws of 2000 permits veterans in active public service to have up
to three years of military service credit added to their retirement
service. There is no provision to allow public retirees to receive a
commensurate benefit. This legislation provides that benefit.

 JUSTIFICATION : The Veterans Service Credit Law of 2000 permits
active public employees who served in the military during specific
military conflict to purchase up to three years retirement credit for
that military service. This is the first opportunity veterans have had
to include their military service in their public retirement plan
since 1976.

Many Korean veterans were not eligible for that 1976 buy back law.
Viet Nam veterans were just entering public service at the time. In
the ensuing 24 years, many of these veterans provided years of
dedicated public service and retired without the ability to add
military credit to their retirement. Current employees now have that
ability.

It is unfair to ignore the service provided by veterans to our state
and country now that active employees can receive this benefit. This
bill overcomes that injustice by providing retired veterans with a
comparable supplemental military allowance.

 
 
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