June 2009

Member News

Hot Topics

Proposed Legislation Could Affect Retirement Benefits
At the time of publication, legislation that could affect the Retirement System, including benefits for new members and employer contribution payments, had been proposed, but were stalled in the legislature. Please look for next month’s (July) E-News for updates and details on the proposals.

Elected and Appointed Officials: Here's How to Keep a Log of Your Work-Related Activities
Most members work a set schedule (for example, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm). But, if you are an elected or appointed official, you may not have a regular schedule. If this is the case, it is your responsibility to keep a record of the hours you spend performing work-related duties. The hours worked on this record become the basis for your retirement service credit. This link takes you to more information on this important topic.

Now on the Web: Administrative Hearing FAQs
If the Retirement System denied your benefits claim, e.g. for a disability retirement benefit, you can request a hearing and appeal that decision. The administrative hearing process is your opportunity to present evidence supporting your claim, and our new Frequently Asked Questions can guide you through that process. The FAQs provide you with a step-by-step description of how to request a hearing and what will happen at the hearing. We hope you find them useful.

Getting Close to Retirement

Send Us Proof of Your Date of Birth
If you are planning to retire soon, make sure we have verification of your Date of Birth. Without this important piece of information, we will not be able to provide you with your benefits. The most common documents we accept: birth certificate, baptismal certificate, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214), passport or naturalization papers. Make sure you get a copy of one of these documents to us before you plan on retiring. You can send your information to:

• New York State and Local Retirement System
• 110 State Street
• Albany, NY 12244

Can't find your birth certificate? The National Center for Health Statistics' website contains information for each state on where to write for vital records and the cost.

By the Way: Retirement Online is a helpful tool that allows you to view your own Retirement System information – such as your contribution balances or beneficiary designations – securely on our website. If you haven’t already enrolled in this service, take a few minutes to sign up now and forward this link to a friend who might also be interested.