Bill > H3971

This bill clarifies rules around survivor pension benefits, specifically addressing situations where a beneficiary might be eligible for multiple types of payments. It introduces a provision stating that if a beneficiary is eligible for benefits under Section 9 and also under Option (c) of Section 12, they must choose one or the other, not both. A "qualified domestic relations order" (QDRO) is a legal order related to domestic relations matters, often involving child support, alimony, or property division in divorce, and in this context, it's used to assign pension benefits to an ex-spouse. The bill amends existing law to state that if an ex-spouse is named as an Option (c) beneficiary through a QDRO on file with the retirement board, their Option (c) benefit will be paid, and any amount paid will be deducted from the benefit calculated under Section 9. Crucially, the bill ensures that two different beneficiaries cannot receive full benefits concurrently from the same member's pension, whether it's a full Section 9 benefit and a full Option (c) benefit, or a full Section 9 benefit and a full Option (c) benefit. These changes are set to apply to benefits first granted on or after July 1, 2016.