CSEA celebrates Tier 6 pension plan reform in State Budget

ALBANY, NY (04/20/2024) (readMedia)-- CSEA celebrates Tier 6 pension reform in State Budget

ALBANY – CSEA, New York's largest public employee union, is celebrating the inclusion of reforms to the Tier 6 pension plan in the FY2025 State Budget.

"We applaud Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for their strong leadership in fighting for pension equity for Tier 6 members," said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan.

The enacted state budget includes a change to how pensions are calculated. Under the new law, a Tier 6 employee's pension will be based on their top three years of earnings instead of 5 years. This change will increase retirement security for Tier 6 employees and make Tier 6 look more like earlier pension tiers.

"The State, local governments, school districts, and other public employers are finding it extremely difficult to recruit and retain employees-Tier 6 is a big part of the problem. The reforms in this budget will make the pension more valuable and appealing to New Yorkers considering a career in the public sector."

CSEA members across the state have been urging lawmakers to include Tier 6 reforms in the budget. Since January, CSEA members have sent over 10,000 e-mails and thousands of phone calls to state legislators and the Governor.

ALBANY – CSEA, New York's largest public employee union, is celebrating the inclusion of reforms to the Tier 6 pension plan in the FY2025 State Budget.

"We applaud Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for their strong leadership in fighting for pension equity for Tier 6 members," said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan.

The enacted state budget includes a change to how pensions are calculated. Under the new law, a Tier 6 employee's pension will be based on their top three years of earnings instead of 5 years. This change will increase retirement security for Tier 6 employees and make Tier 6 look more like earlier pension tiers.

"The State, local governments, school districts, and other public employers are finding it extremely difficult to recruit and retain employees-Tier 6 is a big part of the problem. The reforms in this budget will make the pension more valuable and appealing to New Yorkers considering a career in the public sector."

CSEA members across the state have been urging lawmakers to include Tier 6 reforms in the budget. Since January, CSEA members have sent over 10,000 e-mails and thousands of phone calls to state legislators and the Governor.

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About CSEA:

The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) is one of the largest and most influential unions in New York and the United States. CSEA has more than 250,000 members and represents state, county, municipal, school district, childcare, and private sector employees. Formed in 1910, CSEA has improved the lives of hardworking New Yorkers for more than 100 years and is the largest affiliate of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

For more information, go to CSEANY.org.