City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (at lectern) last week rallied with fire unions at City Hall demanding fair disability pension benefits.
Photo Courtesy Of Councilwoman Crowley’s Office
Hundreds of city firefighters and fire officers last week gathered at City Hall behind their union leadership and City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Glendale) to demand pension equity for injured firefighters and police officers.
At issue is what Crowley, chairwoman of the Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice Services, and the unions are calling “severely reduced Tier 3 disability pension benefits that newer FDNY and NYPD members” must live on if they become seriously injured or permanently disabled on the job.
Under state law, firefighters and cops hired before June 30, 2009, receive Tier 2 disability pension benefits equaling 75 percent of pay, with no Social Security offset. However, those hired after July 1, 2009, receive disability benefits under Tier 3 consisting of only 50 percent of pay, which is further offset by Social Security payments.
Because of this discrepancy, Crowley said, thousands of new city firefighters and NYPD officers lack critical health and safety protections.
“When our firefighters and police officers risk their lives for the safety of New Yorkers, we owe them the assurance that their families will be provided for should anything happen,” she said. “Every emergency responder is taking the same risk, and every responder deserves the same disability benefits if they get hurt. We cannot allow the city to cut corners when it comes to fundamental public safety. Our cops and firefighters are always there when we need them, now the city needs to be there for them and their families.”
Crowley is calling on the de Blasio administration to take immediate action by passing a home rule to fix the discrepancy. She also indicated that she plans to introduce a resolution calling on the state to pass legislation that would create parity among the different pension tiers for firefighters and police officers.
By Forum Staff
