In speaking with firefighters in my district, I found that widows of firefighters lose eligibility to receive pension payments upon remarriage. State law permits the cessation of a firefighter’s pension payments to their surviving spouse upon the spouse’s remarriage. However, this restriction does not apply to the pensions of other first responders.
 
In 2006, the provision ending pension benefits for surviving spouses of Pittsburgh police officers upon remarriage was repealed. Yet, the law concerning Pittsburgh firefighter pensions has not been successfully amended since 1975. To provide pension parity for Pittsburgh’s firefighters, my legislation would repeal the remarriage provision in this law.
 
All first responders and their families deserve to be rewarded for their service to our communities. Firefighters should not be denied this honor due to legislative oversight. Please join me to showing appreciation for the folks who protect and serve our communities by signing on to this fair proposal.