For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2025
FIRE FIGHTERS SEEK SUPPORT TO ‘FIX TIER SIX’
Correcting Inequities in State and City Pension Tiers Gaining Traction at Capitol
The New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association today gathered at the Capitol to advocate for changes in state law that will help recruit new fire fighters to their ranks while retaining those who came onto the job at the start of 2010.
The two most recent pension tiers, Five and Six were respectively created in 2010, and 2012.
The fire fighters were joined by key members of the Senate and Assembly as the legislative session approaches its regularly scheduled conclusion next month. Senator Robert Jackson, Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Civil Service and Pensions has worked for years in support of career fire fighters, and he additionally was joined at a news conference by legislative sponsors Senator Andrew Gounardes, Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, and Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer-Amato.
The NYSPFFA represents career fire fighters working in village and city departments across the state and are covered by the New York State Police and Fire Retirement Fund. Fire fighters who serve within the five boroughs of New York City are members of the New York City Fire Pension System.
Sam Fresina, President of the 18,000 member association said: “In order to ensure that fire fighters and their families are properly protected, we must make our voices heard and positions understood at the Capitol. I believed far too often the realities and risk of fire service are overlooked. The facts are clear – it is a dangerous job, and over the course of a career it takes a toll on both those who respond to the calls – and those who wait for them at the end of a shift.”
“No one who runs into fire should be robbed in retirement. Tier Six is the ash left by austerity—a scar that dishonors the danger, the discipline, and the decades our firefighters give. Gratitude without justice is just smoke,” Senator Jackson said. “This fight isn’t about perks—it’s about promises. I stand with NYSPFFA because courage on the job must be met with courage in Albany. Fixing Tier Six isn’t reform—it’s redemption. And I won’t stop until our laws match the risks they take and the lives they save.”
Among the most significant pieces of legislation included in the effort is a measure allowing for a more generous application of overtime earned when calculating retirement benefits based on a fire fighters final average salary (Senate 6639).
A second measure (Senate 7114 and Assembly 7827) allows those who previously served in the military with the opportunity to contribute to their retirement at a more modest rate.
Three additional pieces of legislation are focused on Tier 2 and 3 members serving within the five boroughs of New York City. The measures are sponsored by Senator Jackson and Assembly Member Pheffer-Amato and include: S4727/A5861; S.7113/A.7899; and S.5058/A.5853.