NY Ret & SS L § 153 (2021)
2021 New York Laws RSS - Retirement and Social Security Article 3-A - Reporting and Disclosure 153 - Summary Plan Description.

§  153.  Summary  plan  description.    1.  The  head  of  each public retirement system shall prepare and publish a summary  plan  description of  any public employee pension plan which is administered or maintained by such system and of any material modification or change in  the  terms of such plan. The summary plan description shall include the information required  under  subdivision  two  of  this  section.  The  summary plan description, a summary of any material modifications in the terms of the plan, and any other changes  in  the  information  required  under  this section  shall  be  furnished to members in the manner and to the extent provided  in  subdivision  three  of  this  section.  The  summary  plan description  and any other summary descriptions required by this article (including updates of summary plans and information  concerning  changes and  modifications)  shall  be  written  in  a  manner  calculated to be understood by the average member and shall be sufficiently accurate  and comprehensive  to  reasonably  apprise  such members of their rights and obligations under the plan.   2.  The  summary  plan  description  shall   contain   the   following information,  and  shall  be updated at regular intervals to incorporate any changes in such information:  (a) the name and address of the head of the public  retirement  system which administers such plan;  (b)   the   plan's   requirements  with  respect  to  eligibility  for participation or membership and benefits;  (c) the  plan's  requirements  with  respect  to  vesting  of  pension benefits;  (d)   the   circumstances   which   may  result  in  disqualification, forfeiture, ineligibility, or denial or loss of benefits;  (e) the procedures to be followed in presenting  claims  for  benefits under the plan and the remedies available under the plan for the redress of claims for benefits which are denied in whole or in part.   3.  The head of each public retirement system shall, in a manner to be determined by the head of such retirement system, furnish to each member a copy of  the  summary  plan  description  required  by  this  section, including  all modifications and changes thereto, within one year of the time the individual is registered as a member. If there  is  a  material modification  or  change,  the head of the retirement system shall, in a manner to be determined by the head of such retirement system, furnish a summary description of such modification or change  to  each  member  or beneficiary  whose  rights  or benefits may reasonably be expected to be affected thereby and to each retired member whose rights or benefits may reasonably be expected to be affected thereby.  Provided, however,  that where  such modification or change requires members, retired members, or their beneficiaries to make a selection or  file  an  application  by  a certain  date,  such  summary  description  shall  be  furnished  to the affected members, retired members, or their beneficiaries not later than sixty days before the final date for making  such  selection  or  filing such application, unless such notice is impracticable under the terms of such modification or change.