New York Assembly Bill A08987

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/13/25
• Refer: 8/13/25

Caption

Provides that a member of a public retirement system of the state who is a disabled veteran may retire without reduction of their retirement benefit upon their attainment of at least fifty-five years of age and completion of at least thirteen years of credited service in such retirement system.

Impact

If passed, this bill would significantly alter the financial landscape for early retirement among disabled veterans in New York. It would allow eligible veterans to retire without the usual financial penalties associated with early retirement, which would likely encourage more veterans to retire earlier and access their benefits. The cost of these early retirements would be borne by the state and retirement system employers, which could potentially strain budget resources but improve welfare for veterans.

Summary

Bill A08987 proposes amendments to the Retirement and Social Security Law, specifically aiming to provide early retirement options without pension reduction for disabled veterans. Under this bill, disabled veterans who are members of the public retirement system will be allowed to retire at the age of 55, granted they have completed at least 13 years of service. This seeks to honor their service and provide financial stability for veterans facing disabilities due to their military service.

Contention

While the bill presents beneficial aspects for disabled veterans, it may evoke contention regarding the financial implications for the retirement system and state budget. Critics might argue about the sustainability of covering costs associated with a pension system that may see increased early retirements. Concerns about the impacts on taxpayers and the overall health of the retirement funds could arise, particularly if many eligible veterans decide to take advantage of the new regulations.