Greetings Parole Officers,

As per the Public Employees Federation (PEF) Parole Division 236 Newsletter (October 2025), the union is investigating our request for a 25 & out retirement plan.  

We would like to thank everyone who contacted PEF regarding this important matter. Your advocacy has started the process for possible pension parity with NYS Correction Officers.

As we stated in the past, it’s discriminatory that Parole Officers are the only peace officers at the NYS Department of Corrections & Community Supervision (DOCCS) without a 25 & out retirement plan.

PEF’s newsletter discusses the pros and cons of a 25 & out retirement plan, but it’s clear the union is making excuses on why it should not pursue it.

Some of PEF’s excuses include it being too costly for the union and New York State, PEF civilian members would be left out, and it will interfere with its fight to fix Tier 6. It appears PEF is pitting Parole Officers against other PEF members. For example, if the union obtains this benefit for Parole Officers, it would have to obtain it for non-parole staff working in dangerous capacities. 

Has PEF forgotten that Parole Officers risk their lives everyday by executing warrants, conducting home visits and safety searches at parolee’s residences? Hence, why Parole Officers carry firearms and wear bullet resistant vests.

25-year service retirement plans let you retire with full benefits regardless of age.

Why it’s valuable

You could retire in your 40s or 50s—sometimes 20+ years earlier than corporate workers.

You enjoy more healthy, active years in retirement.

If you choose to work afterward, your pension becomes a baseline income, so any additional work is bonus money.

Big advantage

People with 25-year service pensions often build more total lifetime wealth because they have both pension income + second career income.

It’s clear that the approximately 450 NYS Parole Officers are not a priority to PEF because it is a civilian union. That’s why we’re requesting that PEF release Parole Officers so that they could join a law enforcement union like the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA). 

Joining NYSCOPBA would make it easier for Parole Officers to obtain a NYSCOPBA 25-year retirement plan  and other crucial law enforcement benefits. Furthermore, it would be cost effective for PEF because it would not impact the amount of time lobbying and the capital expended to secure legislative improvements to Tier 6.

If you agree with our petition update, please email it to PEF Parole Division 236 Council Leader G.Lopez at Glopez@PEF.org.

Happy Holidays,

New York State Parole Officers