Bill > A07949

This bill amends the retirement and social security law to allow surviving spouses of Tier 3 members in the New York City Police Pension Fund to continue receiving accidental death benefits even after remarrying. Currently, when a surviving spouse remarries, they lose the non-Special Accidental Death Benefit (non-SADB) portion of the death benefit, which would then potentially be paid to children, dependent parents, or other eligible beneficiaries. The proposed legislation would enable remarried surviving spouses to continue receiving both the SADB and non-SADB portions of the accidental death benefit. As a result, lower-tier beneficiaries such as children under 25 or dependent parents would lose their eligibility to receive these non-SADB death benefits if the surviving spouse is still alive. The bill applies to surviving spouses already receiving benefits and to members dying on or after the effective date. The fiscal note indicates that while the legislation is not expected to change employer contributions, it will alter how death benefits are allocated among beneficiaries, potentially providing more financial stability to remarried surviving spouses of police pension fund members.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7949