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Bill > S73
NJ S73
NJ S73Eliminates remarriage prohibition for PFRS death benefits; provides retirement allowance to certain survivors of PFRS members.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
A law enacted in 2003 eliminated the termination of Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) accidental death benefits received by a surviving spouse or domestic partner upon remarriage or the establishment of a new domestic partnership. This bill would ensure that all surviving PFRS spouses or partners are treated the same by providing that the eligibility of any survivors pension will not terminate under these circumstances. The bill also restores the survivors pension to those who lost this benefit because of remarriage prior to the enactment of this bill. Under the PFRS, when a member of the system dies in active service, the widow or widower is eligible to receive a survivorship benefit consisting of a pension equal to 50 percent of the compensation upon which contributions by the member were based in the last year of creditable service, to continue during her or his widowhood. If there is no survivor or in the case of death or remarriage, there is also paid 20 percent of final compensation to one surviving child or 35 percent of final compensation to two surviving children or 50 percent such compensation in equal shares. In the event of death after retirement, the surviving spouse is eligible to receive a survivorship pension consisting of a pension equal to 50 percent of final compensation, to continue during her or his widowhood, and there will also be paid 15 percent of such compensation to one surviving child or an additional 25 percent of such compensation to two or more children. If there is no surviving widow or widower or in case the widow or widower dies or remarries, the payments equal 20 percent of final compensation payable to one surviving child, 35 percent of such compensation to two surviving children in equal shares and if there are three or more children, 50 percent of such compensation in equal shares. Currently, the surviving spouse or partner ceases to be eligible for these survivors pensions upon remarriage or the establishment of another domestic partnership. This bill would ensure that these survivors benefits do not terminate.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) laws to ensure that surviving spouses or domestic partners of deceased PFRS members continue to receive their survivor pensions even if they remarry or enter into a new domestic partnership. Previously, remarriage or establishing a new domestic partnership would terminate these benefits, but this bill eliminates that restriction, aligning with a 2003 law that already removed this prohibition for accidental death benefits. Additionally, the bill restores survivor pensions to individuals who lost them due to remarriage before this bill's enactment, ensuring all survivors are treated equally under the PFRS system, which provides benefits to widows, widowers, and children of deceased members based on the member's final compensation.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S73 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/73_I1.HTM |
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