Relates to granting retroactive Tier II membership in the New York state and local police and fire retirement system for Giuseppe T. Rosini.
If enacted, A08466 will impact the local retirement system by increasing the fiscal obligations of the Town of Riverhead, as they would bear the costs associated with this change. The bill outlines that the Wading River Fire District will cover all past service costs related to Rosini’s employment, while other associated costs will be absorbed by the Town of Riverhead. The fiscal note estimates a financial increase of approximately $18,000 in annual contributions for the Town of Riverhead starting in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. Overall, this could set a precedent for similar adjustments for other employees in the future who may have missed enrollment opportunities.
Bill A08466 pertains to granting retroactive Tier II membership in the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System to Giuseppe T. Rosini. Rosini, who served as a part-time employee for the Wading River Fire District from October 2004, inadvertently missed the opportunity to enroll in the retirement system due to administrative errors on the part of the fire department. Under this bill, he would be retroactively considered a Tier II member, which offers different benefits compared to his assigned Tier VI status from December 2014. The bill requires Rosini to submit a request to the New York State Comptroller within six months of the act's effective date for the retroactive change to take place.
Discussion around A08466 raises concerns over fairness and administrative responsibility. Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to rectify an error that prevented Rosini from accessing the benefits he originally qualified for as a Tier II member due to no fault of his own. In contrast, opponents may voice concerns regarding the increased financial burden on local governments and the implications of creating retroactive benefits for individuals, which could encourage similar requests in the future and complicate budgeting processes for local jurisdictions.