FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I find out who is my beneficiary, and how do I change it?
Contact the LBA office to obtain your beneficiary information associated with your annuity and other important items. If you are unsure about your Police Pension Fund beneficiary information, you may check it in person, or request it by mail with the New York City Police Pension Fund, 233 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10279. In order to change your current beneficiary, you can download a Change of Designated Beneficiary form from the Police Pension Fund website under General Application, form number 60 or by clicking this link to download it.

If you mail the form back to the Police Pension Fund, it MUST be signed and notarized. You may also return this form in person, and they will notarize it for you. Due to confidentiality rules, telephone and e-mail requests to check or change beneficiaries cannot be accommodated by the Police Pension Fund.

Do I have to change my designated beneficiary with the Police Pension Fund if I already submitted changes to the LBA office?
Yes. Changing your designated beneficiary with the Police Pension Fund DOES NOT change your beneficiary with the LBA, and likewise, changing your beneficiary with the LBA does not change you beneficiary with the Police Pension Fund. Avoid unintended consequences by keeping your beneficiary current.

Is there a method to increase my pension contributions?
A member may make extra contributions by waiving the ITHP (Increased-Take-Home-Pay), currently at 5%, tax deferred. This form is available from the Police Pension website or you can click here to access it.

In addition to the ITHP waiver, is there any other way to make additional pension contributions?
Yes. An additional 50% of contributions can be deducted from your pay. Please note that this deduction is not tax deferred. This form is available from the Police Pension website or you can click here to access it.

What is terminal leave?
A member accrues terminal leave at a rate of 3 days per year of service. Typically after 20 years of service a member has 60 days of terminal leave accrued.

Do I have to use all my vacation time prior to using my terminal leave?
Yes. You must exhaust all accrued vacation time prior to utilizing terminal leave.

Is there a limit to how many terminal leave days I can accrue?
There is no limit to the number of terminal leave days you can accrue. A member continues to accrue terminal leave days until they retire.

Can I waive my terminal leave?
A member can waive their terminal leave if they decide it is in their best interest to do so.

Do I have to use all my terminal leave at the same time?
No. Any unused time can be taken at a later date.

RETIREE QUESTIONS (April 3, 2008)

1. When can I change my current health coverage to a different plan?
a. Every two (2) years, on an even numbered year (ex. 2008, 2010, etc.)
b. If you relocate to another area that is not covered by your present health plan.
c. A onetime change at any time. However, if you take this option, you have to stay with the plan you selected for life.

2. If I relocate, who do I have to notify with my change of address?
a. Superior Officer’s Council (SOC), Health & Welfare Fund: 212-964-7500
b. LBA office: 212-964-7500
c. Retiree Health Benefits office: 212-513-0470
d. Police Pension Section: 212-693-5101
e. Deferred Compensation Plan: 212-306-7653
f. Health Plan (GHI, HIP, Empire Blue Cross, etc.)

3. Who do I notify if I want to change my beneficiary?
a. SOC, Health & Welfare office: 212-964-7500
b. LBA office: 212-964-7500
c. Police Pension Section: 212-693-5101
d. Deferred Compensation Plan: 212-306-7653

4. Who do I notify to add/change dependants?
a. SOC, Health & Welfare office: 212-964-7500
b. Your Health Plan (GHI, HIP, etc.)
c. Retiree Health Benefits office: 212-513-0470

5. How is our pension taxed in other states?
a. We maintain a list of tax regulations in all fifty states.
How States Tax your Pension !

6. Why should I select Medicare Part B?
a. Medicare eligible retirees must select Medicare Part B because the City will pay Medicare Supplemental Insurance only. For Medicare eligible retirees and spouses, the City reimburses the Part B premium. This reimbursement is approximately $97.00 a month. When you become Medicare eligible, you must immediately notify the New York City Health Benefits office at 40 Rector Street, New York, NY 10006, telephone 212-513-0470. You must also follow the same procedure for your spouse.

7. Can you mail this information?
a. Yes. Write a note requesting Medicare reimbursement for Part B. Enclose copies of your NYPD ID card, Social Security card, Medicare card and Health Insurance card. Be sure to send this information by Certified Mail