Establishes the disability benefits maximization and assistance program to assist eligible state retirees in obtaining certain disability benefits

Latest action Jan 7, 2026

Establishes the disability benefits maximization and assistance program to assist eligible state retirees in obtaining certain disability benefits; provides for the investing of any net savings realized by the program back into the New York state health insurance program for the purpose of eliminating or limiting the impact of any premium rate or other cost increases that would be the responsibility of an employee or retiree.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A4990, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Civil Service Law.

Committee

Civil Service And Pensions · New York State Senate

Also referred to Governmental Employees · New York State Assembly, Ways and Means · New York State Assembly.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This legislation would require the Department of Civil Service to design a program to identify state retirees eligible for but not receiving social security disability insurance (SSDI) and Medicare coverage.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Cosponsors

John T. McDonald III, Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. and 2 more on Agora

Democratic4

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Robert Jackson says this is needed

Persons who are under age sixty-five and disabled are frequently eligi- ble for, but not receiving, social security disability insurance (SSDI) and Medicare. As a consequence, they forego the supplemental income to which disabled individuals are entitled through SSDI. By requiring New York State to assist state retirees in qualifying for SSDI and Medicare, this legislation will increase the disposable incomes of disabled reti- rees and ensure that they receive the federal monetary benefits to which they are entitled. Participation in the Program by retirees will be completely voluntary. Moreover, identification of retirees under the age of 65 who would qual- ify for Medicare as their primary insurer will generate significant savings for the state's health insurance plan. Disabled retirees under the age of 65, like post-65 retirees, will have the benefit of Medicare coverage while maintaining the full benefit of the State's health insur- ance plan as their secondary source of insurance. Retirees will experi- ence 'no diminution in coverage.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
May 28, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
Mar 19, 2025
Amend (t) and Recommit to Civil Service and Pensions
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
NY Senate
Feb 10, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
NY Assembly

Show full history (1 earlier event)

Jan 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 1, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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