Matter of Pasinkoff v New York State & Local Retirement Sys.

Holding The court affirmed the dismissal of the petition, holding that the Comptroller’s determination was supported by substantial evidence and not irrational or unreasonable. The agency reasonably interpreted the statutes to set the petitioner’s contribution cessation date at the effective date of his transfer from a tier 6 to tier 4 membership, rather than his initial enrollment date.

The court’s words

petitioner did not become eligible for the enhanced benefits provided for in Retirement and Social Security Law article 19 until his transfer was complete

2026 NY Slip Op 06599, at the official text

we are precluded from substituting our judgement for that of the agency where the agency's own interpretation is also reasonable

2026 NY Slip Op 06599, at the official text

the substantial evidence standard is a minimal standard that requires less than a preponderance of the evidence

2026 NY Slip Op 06599, at the official text