New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A08810

Introduced
6/9/25  

Caption

Provides for children who were under the age of 25 when the death of the member occurred to receive an accidental death benefit for their lifetimes.

Impact

The introduction of A08810 is anticipated to have significant implications for the New York City municipality, particularly regarding pension funding and fiscal responsibilities associated with surviving family members of deceased employees. The bill's passage could lead to an increase in employer contributions to funding these benefits, projecting a long-term fiscal impact seen in the anticipated increases of contributions to the pension funds of city employees. Moreover, the bill modifies the scope of who may claim benefits by allowing previously disqualified individuals (e.g., children who aged out of benefits) to apply within a year of the bill’s enactment.

Summary

Bill A08810 proposes to amend the general municipal law to extend Special Accidental Death Benefits to children of deceased members of certain municipal departments. Specifically, it aims to ensure that surviving children, who were under the age of 25 at the time of the accident, can receive these benefits for the duration of their lifetime, under specified conditions. This amendment applies to members of police and fire departments within New York City's retirement systems, enhancing the financial security provided to families affected by the tragic loss of a parent. Notably, it also includes provisions to prevent reductions in benefits unless consent is provided by existing beneficiaries, which is designed to protect the rights of current retirees and their families.

Contention

While proponents argue it is a necessary step to provide extended support to children who lose a parent on duty, there are concerns regarding the increased financial burden on municipality pension funds and the implications for future budgeting. Critics argue that increasing these liabilities may impact city finances and suggest the need for a thorough review of the long-term effects on the retirement systems responsible for managing these benefits. Additionally, contrasting opinions exist around the fairness of altering benefits for existing pensioners if it comes at the cost to their accrued rights.

Companion Bills

NY S03815

Same As Provides for children who were under the age of 25 when the death of the member occurred to receive an accidental death benefit for their lifetimes.

Previously Filed As

NY S07585

Provides for payment of accidental death benefits for members who die while travelling from their primary residence directly to their place of business, or to a different location where such member was assigned to perform his or her duties.

NY S09666

Provides age caps for certain retirement systems for children receiving accidental death benefits; provides that such benefits shall continue in the same amount as received by the member's widow or widower as a joint and survivor pension until every such child shall die.

NY S07017

Allows for child beneficiaries of deceased police officers and firefighters to receive accidental death benefits until age twenty-six.

NY S06216

Provides for special accidental death benefits for widows or widowers of certain deputy sheriff members of the New York city sheriff's department.

NY A06499

Provides for special accidental death benefits for widows or widowers of certain deputy sheriff members of the New York city sheriff's department.

NY A03335

Increases certain special accidental death benefits for state and local retirement system members.

NY S04811

Increases certain special accidental death benefits for state and local retirement system members.

NY S09076

Increases certain special accidental death benefits for state and local retirement system members.

NY A10111

Increases certain special accidental death benefits for state and local retirement system members.

NY S06308

Relates to death benefits for members of the uniformed force of the New York city department of sanitation and members of the uniformed force of the New York city department of correction; establishes that the beneficiaries of a member who would have been entitled to a service retirement benefit at the time of his or her death may elect to receive, in a lump sum, an amount payable which shall be equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of his or her death, or the value of the death benefit and the reserve-for-increased-take-home-pay, if any, whichever is greater.

Similar Bills

NY S03815

Provides for children who were under the age of 25 when the death of the member occurred to receive an accidental death benefit for their lifetimes.

NY A07949

Permits surviving spouses of NYC police pension fund members to retain accidental death benefits upon remarriage.

AZ SB1667

Retirement systems; post-traumatic stress disorder

NJ A2483

Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS.

NJ S1031

Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS.

NJ S2564

Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS.

NJ A4056

Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS.

NJ S3427

Permits companion to receive PFRS accidental death pension when there is no surviving spouse; requires adjustment of final compensation for calculation of accidental death benefit for surviving spouse, companion, and children of PFRS members.