ALBANY – A new state law lifts the cap to $35,000 that public service retirees under the age of 65 can earn per year in public employment without affecting their pension benefits.
That, said Senator Peter Harckham (D, Peekskill), makes it easier for smaller municipalities to hire retired police officers, school resource personnel and village clerks, many of whom are willing to continue in their occupations on a lesser scale for part-time or per diem work.
Harckham called the change “a win-win for municipalities and retired public employees.”
The freshman state senator, who was a cosponsor of the bill, said it has no projected annual costs and negligible impact on retirement patterns.
Since 2007, retirees wanting to return to public service employment have been permitted to make $30,000 annually before loss, suspension or diminution of their retirement allowances.
