BILL NUMBER: S7314C
SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the retirement and social security law and the adminis-
trative code of the city of New York, in relation to permit surviving
spouses of certain retirement plan members to retain certain benefits
upon remarriage
 
PURPOSE:
To extend Accidental Death benefits to widows or widowers of New York
City police officers killed in the line of duty should they remarry.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends subdivision 7 of section 501 of the retirement and
social security law that as surviving spouse who has not renounced
survivorship rights in a separation agreement continue to receive bene-
fits if they remarry.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill seeks to remedy an inequity facing widows or widowers of New
York City police officers killed in the line of duty. Currently, widows
or widowers of officers killed in the line of duty and hired before July
1, 2009, are eligible to continue to receive Accidental Death Benefits
should they remarry. However, widows and widowers of officers hired on
or after July 1, 2009, are not eligible to receive Accidental Death
Benefits should they remarry. New York City police officers take signif-
icant risks in their duty to protect the public. When an officer is
killed in the line of duty, it reflects the ultimate sacrifice in
service to the community. Providing benefits to the officer's family
acknowledges and honors that sacrifice.
One of the reasons to extend the benefits is to provide long-term finan-
cial stability and security for the spouse and any dependents. Remar-
riage does not necessarily eliminate the financial needs or responsibil-
ities that the spouse may have, particularly if they have children or
ongoing financial commitments arising from the marriage with the offi-
cer. Additionally, continuing the benefits after remarriage is a way to
honor and respect the memory and service of the fallen officer. It main-
tains a lasting gesture of gratitude and acknowledgment from the commu-
nity for the service rendered by the officer.
Extending these benefits to Tier 3 spouses puts them on par with Tier 2
spouses.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
See fiscal note
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is new legislation
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S7314: 501 retirement and social security law, 501(7) retirement and social security law
S7314A: 501 retirement and social security law, 501(7) retirement and social security law
S7314B: 501 retirement and social security law, 501(7) retirement and social security law
S7314C: 501 retirement and social security law, 501(7) retirement and social security law