Policy/Memo 52r2

Number: Policy Memo 52r2
Date Issued: February 25, 1991
Date Revised: January 23, 2017
Subject: Retirement and Dependent Survivor Service Requirement

PURPOSE:

Recognize other public service for the purpose of meeting the NYSHIP retirement and dependent survivor eligibility requirements.

BACKGROUND

The President’s Regulations permit employers who participate in NYSHIP to recognize other public service for the purpose of meeting the requirements to continue NYSHIP coverage in retirement. However, the Regulations do not provide any guidance in determining the application of this benefit for the State, Participating Employers (PE), or Participating Agencies (PA). There has also been some confusion concerning other public service in determining eligibility for dependent survivor coverage.

POLICY

For retirement health insurance eligibility, the State will continue to recognize the previous service a State employee has with either a PE or PA. The State will also continue to recognize the previous service a State employee has with a PE or PA prior to the employer withdrawing from NYSHIP. The State will recognize no other public service.
A PE or PA may continue to recognize the previous service its employee has with another NYSHIP PE, PA, or State agency. In addition, the PE or PA may also recognize other public service the employee has with any public employer outside NYSHIP. Once a PE or PA has chosen to recognize public service outside of NYSHIP, the PE or PA must do so for all employees who retire with other public service. When establishing eligibility for dependent survivor coverage, the State, Participating Employers, and Participating Agencies must recognize all service with the State, a political subdivision of the State or a public authority within New York State. This includes cities with a population of one million or more, such as New York City