This bill amends the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to enhance the accidental disability pension for members who become disabled due to injuries caused by a weapon. Specifically, it increases the pension from 66 percent to 100 percent of the member's actual annual compensation at the time of the accident or retirement, whichever is more beneficial. Additionally, once the member reaches the mandatory retirement age, their pension will be set at 80 percent of their adjusted final compensation. The bill also stipulates that the final compensation will continue to increase until the member would have turned 65, based on the same percentage adjustments applied to active members' compensation schedules.

Furthermore, the bill introduces definitions for "weapon" and "adjusted final compensation," ensuring clarity in the application of these terms. It allows for enhanced pension benefits to apply retroactively to members who have already retired under accidental disability provisions, as well as those who will retire in the future. The bill mandates that applications for these enhanced benefits be submitted to the PFRS board of trustees in accordance with existing procedures. Overall, this legislation aims to provide greater financial support to PFRS members who suffer disabilities due to weapon-related incidents while performing their duties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43:16A-7