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• Friday, April 25, 2014

  Vets to Show Support for Military Buyback Bill

  ALBANY — Veterans groups will join Assembly Member Amy Paulin for a press conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, on the Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol Building to demonstrate support for the Military Buyback Bill (A6974/S4714), reports Greenlawn American Legion Post 1244 mermber Bob Browne.

  A press release from Paulin explains that the legislation would amend the New York State Retirement and Social Security Law to allow public sector workers who were honorably discharged from the military to purchase up to three years of credit towards their pension. Currently, Article 20 of the Retirement and Social Security Law excludes all peacetime veterans and even some who served during designated periods of conflict from Desert Storm to the present day.

  Paulin, the Assembly’s lead sponsor, notes: “All of the men and women who served in our military should be able to take advantage of the veteran’s service credit buy back. The current law, which makes this opportunity dependent on the dates served, is unfair. Everyone who joins the armed forces takes a risk that they will see combat. Luckily most of our soldiers never see that risk realized including those who get the buy back now. Moreover, this legislation will encourage more young people to serve our country – both in the military and as public employees. “