This bill amends the Nebraska State Patrol Retirement Act to enhance benefits for the survivors of officers and adjust annual benefit calculations for retired members. A significant change is the increase in the percentage of the officer's annuity that a surviving spouse or dependent children receive from seventy-five percent to one hundred percent in certain scenarios. Specifically, if an officer dies either after or before retirement, the surviving spouse will receive one hundred percent of the officer's annuity if there are dependent children under nineteen years of age, and the same applies in the absence of a surviving spouse.

Additionally, the bill modifies the annual benefit adjustment calculations for retired members, particularly for those who became members on or after July 1, 2016. The adjustments will be based on the lesser of the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index or a fixed percentage that will increase from two and one-half percent to four percent starting July 1, 2025. The bill ensures that current benefits are not reduced and that retired members or beneficiaries will receive at least their adjusted total monthly benefit until the expiration of their selected annuity option. The bill is designed to take effect immediately upon passage and approval due to an emergency clause.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 81-2026, 81-2027.08, 81-2027.09