News

PBA LIFE INSURANCE - DEC 2025

As discussed at Retiree's Day, it is important to ensure that your beneficiaries are up-to-date regarding your policies. As you may be aware, in the PBA contract, all retired members over the age of 60 are entitled to a $10,000 life insurance policy (and other provisions). Therefore, it is imperative that your beneficiary is properly listed in SPD HR. Please email SPO Kate Hewitt (khewitt@syracusepolice.org) if you would like to check on the status of your beneficiary for the PBA life insurance program. If you would like to change your beneficiary, I have attached the document for you to complete. You can mail the document to: Syracuse Police Department, Human Resources, Attn: Kate Hewitt, 511 S State St., Syracuse, NY 13202)

Furthermore, you may also want to check the status of your beneficiary with the New York State Local Retirement System https://www.osc.ny.gov/retirement?redirect=legacy. Whomever you have currently listed as your beneficiary in the NYSLRS, that person is going to receive your pension...no questions asked.

Thank you - Joseph Moran, PBA President

OCT 2025 MEETING

Correspondence:

Thank you letter from Evan Costanzo, for the scholarship money he received from the Retirees Association. Evan is attending Syracuse University, in the Civil Engineering Program.

Old Business

Brother John Corbett reminded the group that Thursday, October 30, 2025 is the 35th anniversary of Brother Wallie Howard’s murder.
President Marcely reminded the group that this time of year is open enrollment for Medicare plans. Members will receive letters from City Hall regarding the availability of other prescription plans. Those plans may be costly and members may be locked into that plan for the year. Changing from our current plan is not suggested

New Business:

We received an email from PBA President Joe Moran, the annual PBA Basket Day will be Thursday December 18, 2025 @ 0900hrs at Green Hills Grocery.
Retirees Day is scheduled for Wednesday December 3rd, 0900hrs at the Valley Legion. Marlena Jackson was in attendance; the format and meal will remain the same as previous years.
Brother John Corbett attended the ceremony in Rome, NY where State Rt. 46 was named the Mike Jensen Memorial Highway, in honor of fallen Syracuse Police Officer Mike Jensen. Corbett mentioned that many dignitaries were present except for Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelly.
The regular business meeting is scheduled for November 26th, it is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It was decided to cancel the November meeting, since the Retirees Day is scheduled for December 3rd, only one week later.

Health & Welfare:

none to report

NEXT REGULAR RETIREES MEETING: 28 JAN 2026 - 1900 hrs

..... SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP .....

support

Phyllis Lorenz - "To help others who experience the loss of their spouse, attending calling hours, help with paperwork or anything else that may be needed. We can assist in finding painters, handymen, contractors & yard work.

You can contact Phyllis via email at phylgeorge@aol.com

..... OFFICER WELLNESS .....

cordico pba2

Det. Cowan has been assigned to our Officer Wellness position full-time. He wants to share the Cordico Officer Wellness program which provides our retirees an opportunity to utilize the App for officer wellness. If you have any questions about this, feel free to contact Det. Cowan at 315-748-0854.

The app is: https://www.cordico.com/syracuse-police-department/

..... AIR 1 FOUNDATION .....

air1

Please help keep Air 1 flying.

The Air 1 Foundation website (Facebook)

.......... IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL RETIREES ..........

HEATH INSURANCE INFO FOR THOSE NOT ON MEDICARE

The pdf attachment below, provides information about health insurance coverage for those NOT on Medicare
City of Syracuse.Retiree.BCBS.2022.updated

HELP FOR SENIORS

For information regarding help with your heating costs, click here
Onondaga County Dept of Adult & Long Term Care.. 315.435.3355
Info regarding Caregiver Services, EISEP, HEAP, HIICAP, Community Service, Adult Protective Services, Mental Health Services, Veterans Services

MEDICARE (Part A & B)

SPD retirees are reminded that they MUST sign up for Medicare Part A & B when they become eligible
That is when they reach age 65 or are declared disabled by Social Security.
At that point, Medicare becomes your primary health insurance and the City's health plan becomes secondary
See United Health Care Section below

MEDICARE-DRUG PRESCRIPTION PLAN (Part D)

Our advice (both the local and state organizations) is DO NOT sign up for Part D-prescription coverage at this time.
If your former employer has prescription coverage, there is NO PENALTY to sign up later. Plus, employers are encouraged by the federal government to keep their prescription coverage. They can receive up to 28% reimbursement for their expenses.

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM

Would you like to donate your time for a great cause and share your expertise with others?
The National Law Enforcement Museum offers several volunteer opportunities to fit your experience and your schedule. Visitor Experience Volunteers welcome visitors, provide general information about the Museum and help guests plan their journey through the exhibits. Event Volunteers help with special events, such as National Police Week and the Run for the Badge 5K. Volunteer Educators help lead high-quality, visitor-centered tours of the Museum’s collections and exhibits. Are you a current or former law enforcement officer? We have important volunteer opportunities for you, too. Law Enforcement Volunteers share their expertise with visitors and help them see what walking in the shoes of an officer is really like.
To learn more about the volunteer program, please visit the Museum's volunteer opportunities page.

NYS RETIREMENT SYSTEM

After creating an account, you will be able to conduct business with your NYS Retirement System without having to mail in forms or make a phone call
Retirement Online has the same security safegaurds used for online banking to protect your identity
For assistance signing up or help accessing your account you can call our Contact Center at 866.805.0990
We strongly encourage you to join more than 150,000 NYSLRS retirees who have opened Retirement Online accounts
Click here for their website.

NYS SAFE ACT & RETIREES EXEMPTION

We believe it only exempts retired officers from penalty of possessing large capacity magazines and/or assault type weapons if that retired officer was required to purchase that item by his agency when he was active as a Police Officer or was issued that item by his employer and allowed to keep it upon retirement. In both cases he must register that item within 60 days of retirement. Additionally he must have served at least 5 or more years with that agency and retired in good standing. He also must continually re-qualify with that weapon as required by law.
Link to actual section of the law

PISTOL PERMIT

You are now required to recertify your pistol permit every 3 years.
Here is the link to NYS Troopers website to check your status.

Federal Law HR#218 allows retired police officers to carry firearms across state line
IF..You have your retired ID with you AND proof that you have qualified with that type weapon within the last 12 months
Any state firearms instructor may qualify you including any that may be found on our SPONSOR page

..An important aspect of Federal Law HR218 is to remember is that it IS NOT a Concealed Carry Permit
..It is an "Affirmative Defense" to a State charge of weapons possession and that must be raised and proven by the defendant. You lose this defense if you are under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance. If you have a Concealed Carry Permit, consuming alcohol does not invalidate the Permit, but consuming alcohol does invalidate your HR218 meaning you are subject to a State charge of weapons possession.
..New York Penal Law 265.03, is very clear; if you are convicted of this offense there is a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 year in prison
.."A person is guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree pursuant to New York Penal Law 265.03(3) when that person possesses a loaded firearm (pistol, revolver, handgun, etc.) outside his or her home or place of business without a permit regardless of what the intent was".
..Under the laws of New York, loaded does not mean a clip in the gun or a bullet in the cylinder. If the firearm is capable of being loaded and the bullets are in the case with the gun or even in your pocket, you can still potentially be charged with this offense.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

..Maintenance drugs (those you take all the time) MUST be by mail order in 90 day supplies.
..The original prescription and one refill from the local pharmacy is covered. After that point you will have to pay 100% or use the United HC.
..If your doctor is changing the dosage, that is a new prescription and can be filled at the pharmacy until the dosage is regulated

PROJECT LIFESAVER

Unique transmitter from the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office for Alzheimer's patients
Contact the OCSD at 407 S State St - Syracuse - (315)435-3044

SURVIVOR HEALTH INSURANCE

SPD retiree survivors may continue your health insurance plan for a monthly payment.
Contact City of Syracuse at 315.448.8788 or 315.448.8445 for pricing of individual or family plans.

TAX DEDUCTION FOR INSURANCE PREMIUM

If your health insurance premium is automatically taken from your NYS pension, you may deduct the premiums from the taxable portion of your tax return. You must remember to write PSO; (Public Safety Officer) on the line where you report the taxable amount of your pension. This does NOT apply to Medicare Premiums because they do not come out of your state pension nor does it apply to your state tax form because state pensions are not taxable.

AETNA HEALTH CARE

If you are under 65 yrs of age Excellus is your insurance administrator.
If you are 65 and older: Aetna is your health insurance administrator.
65 and older: You MUST continue your current Medicare coverage & it's payment.
65 and older: Inform your medical provider to call the number on the back of your insurance card & not the providers number
65 and older: You need to notify your doctor/medical office to NOT submit their bill to Medicare but to the current insurance carrier
Nothing has recently changed regarding what is covered or co-payments, pharmacy choice, etc.
Covered under Part B of Medicare on the City of Syracuse Plan
.. Flu shots, Diabetic testing strips (Lancets and test strips) and glucose meter. You can get both of these at the pharmacy.
.. You can also get Diabetes testing supplies mail order.
.. You may also receive the flu shot at the doctors office with your insurance card.
If you ANY questions or issues contact City Hall: 315.448.8788 or 315.448.8445

VETERANS

If you served 90 consecutive days (or one day wartime) in the US Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines you may be entitled to receive up to $6000 per month for a husband and wife towards nursing home expense or $1344 for assisted living
Contact the Veterans Administration for details

........ MEMBER BENEFITS & DISCOUNTS ........

The below offer a discount/benefit to you because of your membership.

stone

STONE DENTAL & DENTISTRY

You may have a dental discount available .. 315.214.0004 - 5663 E Circle Dr, Cicero

https://stonedentistry.com/

EDWARD DUNN .. ATTORNEY-at-LAW

He is offering his legal services, at a discount 315.427.5881 - 250 Harrison St, Syracuse

http://dunnrightlaw.com/blog/