Bill > S03815

This bill amends General Municipal Law section 208-f to extend the duration of special accidental death benefits (SADB) paid to the children of deceased members of certain public pension or retirement systems. Previously, these benefits were paid to children until they turned 18, or 23 if they were students. This bill increases that age to 26 for children of members who died while covered by a pension or retirement system within New York City. For deaths occurring before the bill's effective date, children may still be eligible if they were under 26 at the time of the member's death and apply within one year of the bill's enactment, provided there is no surviving spouse or parent currently receiving benefits, and all other beneficiaries consent to any potential reduction in their own benefits. The bill also clarifies that surviving spouses will continue to receive benefits for their lifetime, and if there is no surviving spouse, the benefits will go to the children until the youngest reaches age 26, and then to the parents for their lifetime. The bill also includes provisions to prevent individuals currently receiving benefits from having their benefits reduced without their consent and clarifies that no retroactive payments will be made.