ALBANY, N.Y.—New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said the state’s retirement system would recognize same-sex marriages validly conducted anywhere that they’re legal.

DiNapoli’s announcement came last week after the New York Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit challenging the retirement system’s recognition of Canadian same-sex marriages.

The retirement system in 2004 recognized same-sex marriages conducted in Canada. Surviving spouses of retirement system retirees can get certain benefits not provided for non-spousal partners, such as an accidental death benefit.

The anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund of Arizona filed a lawsuit in September 2006 seeking to halt the retirement system’s recognition of same-sex Canadian marriages. The suit was dismissed by acting Supreme Court Justice Thomas McNamara.