A special 25-year retirement plan providing an alternative retirement benefit for Suffolk County park police officers became effective September 4, 1996. 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 September 1, 1997. This election is irrevocable and provides Tier 3 members coverage under the Tier 4 benefits of this plan. The Parks Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Parks must certify all eligible employees.

Creditable Service

Creditable service includes all service performed as a park ranger and park police officer in the Suffolk County Department of Parks.

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

Sections 89-r and 603-n 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-r or 603-n 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.