NY lawmakers move to shore up 9/11-linked death benefits

WASHINGTON — A rarely discussed cost of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack continues to soar year by year for the New York state and city pension systems — and it now totals about $3.4 billion, according to new estimates.

After the attacks, the Federal Emergency Management Administration reimbursed the pension funds $290 million to cover the death benefits for 343 firefighters and 28 active-duty and retired NYPD officers.

But since then, the federal government has not made any more payments as the costs to the pension systems have continued to mount.

An indicator of just how much the expenses to the pension systems have soared comes from the New York City Office of the Actuary and the New York State Comptroller: In the past three years, the costs have jumped by about $1 billion, up from the estimate of $2.35 billion in 2021.

On the 9/11 anniversary this week, a bipartisan group of New York lawmakers in the U.S. House filed legislation to correct that by requiring FEMA to cover the $3.4 billion cost.

"We lost nearly 3,000 Americans that day, but no one knew that we’d lose thousands more in the aftermath to 9/11-related illnesses. It’s an unimaginable truth and one that only amplifies the horror of these attacks," said Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), the bill’s lead sponsor.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan), a co-sponsor of the bill, said, "We must ensure that the families of these heroes continue to receive the benefits that they deserve."

Citing New York Sen. Chuck Schumer’s history of passing legislation to address 9/11’s impact, spokesman Angelo Roefaro said, "He will work with Sen. Gillibrand and the House to advance this proposal and address ongoing impacts to first responders’ pension system."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who has led 9/11 legislative efforts for more than a decade, “welcomes the continued costs of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks Act and hopes to address the issue in the Senate once the World Trade Center Health Program is permanently funded,” said her spokeswoman Lizzie Landau.

All but six of the 26-member New York delegation to the U.S. House signed on to Garbarino’s legislation.

The Long Island trio of Garbarino, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) and Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) are backing the bill. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said he had not signed onto the bill because he did not know about it. He told Newsday he would co-sponsor it.