New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today issued the following statement regarding recent votes by the city’s five Pension Systems to extend benefits to same-sex couples. The Comptroller serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of four of the five funds, and is investment advisor to, and custodian of, the five funds.

“I am pleased that New York City’s five pension systems have agreed to extend their benefits to the partners of city workers in same-sex marriages legally entered into in other jurisdictions. This action is an important step forward in the fight for equal rights for all people. This decision, which was made by the Boards of Trustees over the last few weeks, will allow the City to extend benefits to the spouses of City employees who are legally married, regardless of sexual orientation.”

###