Authorizes Marilyn Liebowitz to file a retroactive retirement application with the New York state and local employees' retirement system on behalf of her deceased husband, Barry Liebowitz, and to receive all benefits payable based upon such retirement.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9029
SPONSOR: Lopez P TITLE OF BILL: An act to authorize the widow of Barry Liebowitz to
file a retroactive application for retirement with the New York state
and local employees' retirement system
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To allow Mrs. Marilyn Liebowitz, widow of Barry Liebowitz, to collect a
service retirement from the New York State Retirement System.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 authorizes the payment of certain retirement benefits to the
widow of Barry Liebowitz.
Section 2 holds New York State responsible for any additional costs for
this act.
Section 3 of the bill provides for an immediate effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
After more than thirty years of service to NYSERDA, Mr. Liebowitz who
was otherwise retirement eligible, passed away suddenly in June 2013
before filing a retirement application. His widow, Mrs. Marilyn Liebow-
itz, who herself has engaged in community service her entire life, is
now faced with the severe financial hardship without her husband's
retirement benefits. This legislation will allow Mrs. Liebowitz to
collect 100% of her husband's retirement and death benefits in order to
provide for herself in the present and in the future, as if he had time-
ly filed before his death.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
If this bill is enacted, there would be a one-time cost to the State of
New York of approximately $425,000. This estimate is based on the
assumption that payment will be made on March 1, 2015.
This estimate, dated December 17, 2013, and intended for use only during
the 2014 Legislative Session, is Fiscal Note No. 2014-41, prepared by
the Actuary for the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement
System.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
