NYPD Police Union Pushes for Pension Reform for Injured Officers

The New York Police Department is calling for a pension reform that would allow officers who were injured on the job to collect 75 percent of their salary in pension benefits. Currently, legislation has passed that lowered injured officers’ pensions to half of the current salary. Unions are currently pressing the issue.

The Daily News has more information on the topic:

Because of a law change, uniformed officers hired after 2009 are only entitled to 50% of their salary if they are injured and can’t work. Workers hired before 2009 get 75% of their salary.

“If you go out, you do the job, you get injured, you get 50% disability offset by social security,” said PBA President Patrick Lynch. “So that basically comes out to $14,000 to $30,000 depending on where you are on the pay scale.”

“You can’t live in the city of New York on $30,000,” Lynch said.

About two dozen members of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association rallied outside of City Hall, pushing for the rules to change back.

Union members spent the lunchtime rally handing out leaflets and holding signs that read, “Protect our officers” and “City Council, we need your support.”

Lynch said that the uneven disability program greatly affects younger officers in the department.

“If they’re injured, disabled on the job, they should get a three quarters pension,” said Lynch.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio passed the controversial law last year that gave injured officers half of their salary, but at the highest possible salary for their position.