Relates to increasing certain special accidental death benefits
This bill updates the calculation method for special accidental death benefits paid to families of state and local government retirees who died. It adjusts the percentage of the deceased member's salary used to determine benefits, based on the year of death (e.g., higher percentages for deaths before 2024, decreasing to 0% for deaths in 2025 and later). The change affects widows/widowers, minor children (or students under 23), or parents if no dependents exist. The revised formula, effective July 1, 2025, ensures benefits align with current salary scales rather than outdated historical percentages. The bill amends sections of the General Municipal Law and Retirement and Social Security Law.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Assembly Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 19, 2025
Signed Jun 18, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
S6641
→
S6641A
·
2 edits
MINOR
This bill amends the special accidental death benefit schedule for deceased public employees in New York. The primary change is the addition of a new row for the calendar year 2025, which shows a 0.0% benefit increase, while keeping the 2024 percentage at 3.0%. The bill also updates the bill number from S 6641 to S 6641-A and adds a committee discharge note.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on the same retirement and social security law provisions, but the benefit schedule now explicitly includes 2025 as a year with no percentage increase.
TIMELINE
Added a new row for calendar year 2025 with a 0.0% benefit percentage, while maintaining the 2024 rate at 3.0%.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill number from S 6641 to S 6641-A and added a note indicating the bill was discharged from committee and amended.
Floor votes · Senate May 21, 2025 · Assembly Jun 9, 2025
How they voted
59–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 62
May 21, 2025
D
Democratic40
95% Yea
R
Republican22
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
5
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jun 18, 2025
Signed into law
SIGNED CHAP.151
upper
Jun 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
May 22, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
lower
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 6641A
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Andrew Gounardes
DDemocratic
Co
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
DDemocratic
Co
Robert Jackson
DDemocratic/Working Families
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