Bill > HB2144

This bill increases the one-time death benefit payment for retirees of the Public School Retirement System (PSRS), a retirement system for public school employees in Missouri. Specifically, the bill raises the death benefit from $5,000 to $10,000 for member deaths occurring on or after August 28, 2026. The death benefit is paid to the beneficiary of a retired member, or if no beneficiary exists, to the surviving spouse, surviving children in equal shares, surviving parents in equal shares, or the estate of the retired member, in that order of precedence. The benefit is considered compensation for the deceased member serving as a special consultant to the board on matters of education, retirement, and aging, even after retirement. This change aims to provide additional financial support to the families of deceased public school retirees, reflecting potential increased living costs and recognizing the ongoing contributions of retired educators.

Labor and Employment

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2144&year=2026&code=R