Permits surviving spouse of retired member of PFRS to be enrolled in SHBP and to continue to receive pension benefit after remarriage in certain circumstances.
The legislation permits surviving spouses to continue receiving pension benefits even if they remarry, which deviates from traditional practices where remarriage typically terminates such benefits. This continuation is dependent on the surviving spouse providing proper documentation that the disability leading to the retired member's death was a significant factor contributing to that death. The State would also bear the financial responsibility for any increased contributions required of employers apart from the State due to this provision.
Senate Bill S3698 aims to provide additional benefits to surviving spouses of retired members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). Specifically, the bill allows eligible surviving spouses to enroll in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) after the death of the retired member and mandates that the State cover the full cost of premiums for the surviving spouse and any dependent children. The benefits would apply regardless of whether the retired member died before, on, or after the bill's effective date, provided they were receiving an accidental disability retirement allowance at the time of death.
The bill has been introduced in the context of ongoing discussions about benefits for public safety personnel. Supporters may argue that it addresses long-standing inequities faced by surviving spouses who have lost their partners in service-related incidents. Critics, however, may raise concerns regarding the financial implications for the retirement system and ongoing budgetary pressures, questioning if these benefits are sustainable in the long run.