A special 25-year retirement plan providing an alternative retirement benefit for Nassau County peace officers who serve in the Nassau County Probation Department became effective January 1, 1998. 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

Tier 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 members are automatically covered by this retirement plan. Tier 3 members had to elect the plan by December 31, 1999, or within one year of beginning covered employment with Nassau County. This election is irrevocable and provides Tier 3 members coverage under the Tier 4 benefits of this plan.

To be eligible to retire under Section 89-s or 603(o), peace officers must serve five years within the Nassau County Probation Department after January 1, 1998. The chief executive officer of the Nassau County Probation Department must certify all eligible employees.

Creditable Service

Creditable service includes all service performed as a peace officer, probation officer trainee or probation assistant in the Nassau 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 an organized fire department or police force of any county, city, village, town, fire district or police district;
• Criminal investigator in the office of a district attorney (up to five years may be credited);
• 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

Tiers 1 & 2

Section 89-s provides a benefit equal to one-half (50 percent) of your final average salary (FAS) on completion of 25 years of creditable service, regardless of age. For service beyond 25 years and for non-probation county service, the benefit is increased by 1/60th (1.66 percent) of your FAS for each year of service.

Tiers 4, 5 & 6

Section 603(o) provides a benefit equal to one-half (50 percent) of your FAS on completion of 25 years of creditable service, regardless of age.

If you are eligible at the time of retirement, we will compare the retirement benefit payable under Sections 89-s or 603(o) to the retirement benefit payable under your regular plan 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.