News Release: RPEA Urges Lawmakers to Protect Retirees’ Earned Benefits

RPEA Urges Lawmakers to Protect Retirees’ Earned Benefits

Albany, N.Y.  – The Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA), representing the interests of nearly 500,000 state and local government retirees, has advanced its legislative priorities for the FY 2026-2027 State Budget, following the release of the Governor’s Executive Budget.

Among its concerns, RPEA opposes the Executive’s proposed elimination of Medicare Part B IRMAA reimbursement for NYSHIP retirees, which would require retirees to pay federally imposed Medicare costs out of pocket. The State Legislature has reinstated this reimbursement during previous budget negotiations, and RPEA is urging lawmakers to restore IRMAA again this year. The organization also emphasized measures to strengthen pension COLAs, ensure fair skilled nursing coverage, and increase earnings limits for retired public employees.

“New York retirees are already facing rising costs for health care, utilities, and putting food on the table,” said RPEA Board President RoAnn Destito. “Eliminating the IRMAA reimbursement would shift hundreds of dollars a month onto retirees, forcing many to make impossible choices between paying for essential care or covering basic expenses. This proposal would put the financial security and health of our retirees at risk. We urge our elected officials to restore IRMAA in the final enacted budget.”

RPEA’s 2026 legislative priorities include:

• Increasing the pension cost-of-living adjustment (COLA): RPEA supports legislation that includes a ‘catch-up’ provision to authorize the actual COLA for the past 23 years. The bill also raises the pension earnings threshold from $18,000 to $21,000.

• Ensuring equal coverage for care in skilled nursing facilities: RPEA advocates that NYSHIP Empire Plan Medicare-primary retirees receive the same benefits for skilled nursing care as non-Medicare-primary retirees. Senator Patricia Fahy has introduced RPEA’s Skilled Nursing Facilities Bill (S.4724 Fahy/A.6091 McDonald).

• Supporting increases to the earnings cap for retired public servants: RPEA supports legislation (S.6956 Ryan) that raises the earnings limitation for retirees working in public service from $35,000 to $50,000 under Section 212 of the Retirement and Social Security Law. Municipalities and school districts across New York say they struggle to recruit experienced retired officers under the current cap.

“Supporting policies that protect the financial security and health care benefits of public sector retirees is our priority,” said RPEA Executive Director Tom Tatun. “Our legislative agenda addresses some of the most pressing challenges retirees face, from affordable health care to fair compensation and recognition of their expertise. We are committed to working with lawmakers to ensure that retirees receive the respect and protections they have earned.”

RPEA calls on the New York State Legislature to restore IRMAA reimbursement for NYSHIP retirees and advance these priorities to safeguard the financial security and health care benefits of retired public employees. 

For more information visit rpea.org. 

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The Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) represents the interests of nearly 500,000 retirees, and their spouses and beneficiaries, from New York state and local governments, school districts, and public authorities. Learn more at: www.rpea.org.