Police officers and paid firefighters working for employers that participate in the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) must become members of the Retirement System.
When you become a member, you must complete and file a membership application with the Office of the State Comptroller.
Special Plan Coverage1
If you become employed as a forest ranger with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on or after January 1, 1998, your membership in the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System is mandatory. If you were employed as a forest ranger prior to January 1, 1998, to be covered by this special plan, you must have elected to transfer your membership from the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System to the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System by December 31, 1997.
“Forest ranger” in this case refers to all persons in the Department of Environmental Conservation serving in the titles of:
- Forest Ranger I;
- Forest Ranger II;
- Forest Ranger III;
- Assistant Superintendent of Forest Fire Control;
- Superintendent of Forest Fire Control; or
- Any successor or new titles in the Forest Ranger Series in DEC.
1Updated 5/19