S6258

The New York State Senate passed S6258, legislation amending the Education Law to allow teachers to change beneficiaries on their pension plans. The bill passed on a roll call vote, 53-0. Sen. Borrello, the bill's sponsor, explained his vote by recounting the personal story of his former math teacher Tom Harvey, who remarried but was unable to update his pension beneficiary designation under current law. Harvey later died of terminal cancer without seeing the change take effect. Borrello noted that the measure addresses a straightforward but important need for retirees whose personal circumstances change after decades of contributions to the pension system. The bill had the support of NYSUT, the state teachers union. Borrello said he wished the legislation could have passed in time to help Harvey, but expressed satisfaction that it will now benefit others facing similar situations.