The Nassau County Correction Officers Benevolent Association is proud to announce the passage of a new law protecting the medical benefits of our Member Military Veterans who choose to buy back their military time for service credit towards their New York State Pensions.

Previously, Section 1000 of NYS Retirement and Social Security Law afforded our members the ability to buy back up to 3 years of their military service to apply toward their Service Credit for pension purposes. Unfortunately, this service credit was not recognized by Nassau County as creditable for eligibility toward retiree medical benefits. This created a gap in service where our members could have been saddled with paying the premium for their health insurance into retirement. In the past, we were successful in bridging that gap for several of our members who bought back their military time on an individual case by case basis.  

This new law settles the issue once and for all going forward.

Resolution #54-19 states:

"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, years of prior service for Military service accepted by the New York State Employee Retirement System as credit for pension retirement shall be accepted by Nassau County for health benefits in retirement."

I want to thank COBA 1st VP Pat McDevitt and 4th VP Dennis Maurus who worked alongside Nassau Legislator/Ret. Army Lt. Colonel William Gaylor for their dedication and hard work in getting this legislation written and passed. This legislation is also being afforded to other Nassau County Employees. Great job by all involved.

Thank you to all of our Military Veterans for your Service.

Brian Sullivan,
COBA President