summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill enhances the accidental death benefit in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) for the spouse and children of a member who served as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, hazardous materials emergency first responder, or fire instructor. Under current law, the PERS accidental death benefit provides to the surviving spouse a pension of 50 percent of the compensation upon which contributions by the member to PERS were based in the last year of creditable service. This bill increases the pension to 70 percent. The bill also provides an increase in benefits for the children of a member, from 25 percent for one child to 70 percent if there is no surviving spouse. The bill further provides an alternative benefit of $50,000 for the surviving spouse, if it is larger than the 70 percent, annually. The bill also provides that the State will pay the employer-sponsored health insurance program for the member's surviving spouse. The bill will make the benefits identical to those in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). The bill is retroactive to January 1, 2021 and provides that a benefit granted under N.J.S.A.43:15A-49 on or after January 1, 2021 will be converted to the benefit under this bill and a lump sum payment of the difference in the two benefits will be paid dating back to when the original benefit was granted.
AI Summary
This bill increases the accidental death benefit for certain members of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who are firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, hazardous materials emergency first responders, or fire instructors. Specifically, it raises the pension for a surviving spouse from 50 percent to 70 percent of the member's final year's compensation, or provides an alternative benefit of $50,000 if that amount is greater, and this benefit will not terminate upon remarriage. For surviving children, if there is no surviving spouse, the benefit increases to 70 percent of the final year's compensation, up from 25 percent for one child. Additionally, the State will now cover the health insurance premiums for the surviving spouse and dependent children. These enhanced benefits are intended to align with those provided by the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and are retroactive to January 1, 2021, meaning any benefits granted under the previous law since that date will be converted to the new, higher benefit with a lump sum payment for the difference.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 02/19/2026)
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/S3536 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S4000/3536_I1.HTM |
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