A special 25-year retirement plan providing an alternative retirement benefit for peace officers who serve in the probation department of counties that elect this special plan became effective January 1, 1999. The features of this plan are briefly described in this brochure.

For information about other benefits available to you, please consult the summary of your regular plan, which is available on our website or from our Call Center.

Eligibility

If your county adopted this retirement plan and you are a Tier 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 member, you are automatically covered. If you are a Tier 3 member, you must elect the plan within one year of the date your employer adopted it or within one year of beginning covered employment, whichever is later. This election is irrevocable and provides Tier 3 members coverage under the Tier 4 benefits of this plan. The county's chief executive officer must certify eligible employees.

Creditable Service

Creditable service includes all service performed as a peace officer in the county probation department.

Credit may also be granted for service earned in the following eligible titles:

• Member or officer of the New York State Police;
• Paid firefighter, police officer or officer of any organized fire department or police force or department of any county, village, town, fire or police district;
• Criminal investigator in the office of a district attorney;
• Probation assistant in a county probation department;
• Certain military service.

Since it may be necessary for you to purchase or transfer some of this service, please contact us to determine eligibility.

Retirement Benefit

Sections 89-t and 603(p) of the Retirement and Social Security Law (RSSL) provide a benefit equal to 50 percent of your final average salary on completion of 25 years of creditable service, regardless of age.

When you retire, if you are eligible for a benefit under your regular retirement plan, we will compare that benefit to the one payable under Section 89-t or 603(p) and pay the greater of the two benefits.

Disability and Death Benefits

Please consult the summary of your regular retirement plan for information about disability or death benefits.

For More Information

If you have any questions or you need more information, you can:

• Email us using our secure contact form;
• Call our Contact Center toll-free at 1-866-805-0990, or 518-474-7736 in the Albany, New York area; or
• Write to us at:
  NYSLRS
  110 State Street
  Albany, NY 12244-0001

You can also make an appointment to meet with an Information Representative at any of our consultation sites throughout the State. A list of these consultation sites is available on our website or from our Call Center.

This publication provides a general summary of retirement benefits, rights and responsibilities, and is not a substitute for any New York State or federal law. For specific information about your benefits, please contact us.