Cashman secures death gamble protections for correction officers

ALBANY | The State Legislature passed the death gamble benefits protections for correction officers within today's budget vote, a measure carried by Assemblyman Michael S. Cashman (D-Plattsburgh) in the Assembly and State Senator Robert Jackson (D-New York) in the Senate. This measure would allow the beneficiary of a member of the state retirement system employed by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision as correction officer to receive the benefits the member would have received if they retired at the date of death. This ensures the beneficiaries of line-of-duty correction officer deaths can receive their pension as if they were to retire on the date of their death. "Through discussions with NYSCOPBA leadership, correction officers and their families, and my colleagues, it was clear that this legislation could wait no longer," Assemblyman Cashman said. "Public service and protection is an honorable duty, and our correctional workers shouldn't have to decide between continuing to serve the State or protecting their families' hard-earned benefits. Today, I am proud to say that we have delivered real results for the brave men and women who work in correctional facilities across the state after a multi-decade long fight. This change was a priority of mine during this year's legislative session, and the work does not end here. All state employees deserve to work in a safe environment, and I will not rest until we can see the conditions within these facilities improve." "Public service should never become a gamble against a worker's family. For too long, experienced correction officers and security hospital treatment assistants have faced an impossible choice: continue serving the people of New York or retire simply to protect the benefits their families earned through years of sacrifice," State Senator Jackson said. "As Chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Pensions and Senate sponsor of this legislation, I am proud to stand alongside our Assembly partner in securing this long-overdue measure in the state budget. This is how government honors experience, strengthens public service, and keeps faith with the families who stand behind every worker who answers the call." "This long-awaited legislation will hopefully provide a major boost to morale for members who wish to continue working beyond 25 years without risking their pension or jeopardizing their families' long-term financial security," NYSCOPBA Northern Region Vice President John Roberts said. "More than 20 years in the making, this legislation has passed the legislature several times in recent years only to be vetoed. This year, however, it has finally come together and stands to help retain our experienced staff at a time when staffing remains one of the most significant issues impacting our members today." Budget votes are expected to continue throughout the week. Once all budget votes have concluded, the Governor will sign them into effect. The death gamble protections will go into effect immediately upon the Governor's signature.

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Cashman secures death gamble protections for correction officers

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