A Quick Q and A on Eligibility
1. Q What are the general guidelines for eligibility under the new (Article 20, RSSL) Chapter 41 of the Laws of 2016 (From NYSLRS website, here)
Veterans must:
- Have been honorably discharged;
- Have at least five years of credited service in the Retirement System; and
- Have not received credit for this service in any other public retirement system in New York State.
2. Q: I've got three years of honorable and active service annotated clearly in block 12c on my DD-214, I have a copy of that DD-214, what do I do.?
A: Visit your retirement service's (ex. NYSLRS, NYCERS, NYTRS, etc) website for the VERY simple directions or call your retirement services.
Example: Updated military service credit information for NYSLRS (New York State Local Retirement System): Here. A second example is NYPD, here.
Do not: Rely on your buddy for correct information
Do not : Call your legislator or one of the sponsors.
3. Q: I've got several different DD-214s indicating honorable active service in block 12c on each one, is that OK?
A: Yes, and visit your retirement service's (ex. NYSLRS, NYCERS, NYTRS, etc) website for the VERY simple directions or call your retirement services.Do not: Rely on your buddy for correct information. Do Not call your legislator or one of the sponsors.)
4. Q: I am (or was) in the Reserves or Guard and I never received a DD-214. What can I do?
A: You are ineligible. The sole purpose of MSC is to recognize that the active duty sacrifice made in defending this great nation meant a delay in beginning your state service. Ordinary Reserve/Guard service imposes no such delay. You must have active military service (block 12c) categorized as honorable (block 24) on a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). Call the retirement services for your system and/or visit their website to confirm this. Do Not rely on your buddy for correct information. Do Not call your legislator or one of the sponsors.
5. Q: I am retired. What can I do?
A. You are ineligible. Call the retirement services for your system and/or visit their website. Do Not rely on your buddy for correct information. Do Not call your legislator or one of the sponsors.
A final note: Since this (MSC purchase and crediting) is a long-established process and is a common and ongoing function of the various retirement services, expect this to be a smooth and glitch-free process. July 16 update: The process of purchasing and crediting has proven to be glitch-free as predicted. This successfully concludes the mission of this website/blog and no further updates are anticipated. Thank you.
-- VSE
