Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS.

This bill enhances the accidental death benefit in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) for the spouse and children of a member who served as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, hazardous materials emergency first responder, or fire instructor. The bill increases the pension to 70 percent of the compensation upon which contributions by the member to PERS were based in the last year of creditable service. It also provides an alternative benefit of $50,000 for the surviving spouse, if it is larger than the 70 percent, annually.

Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS.

This bill enhances the accidental death benefit in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) for the spouse and children of a member who served as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, hazardous materials emergency first responder, or fire instructor. The bill increases the pension to 70 percent of the compensation upon which contributions by the member to PERS were based in the last year of creditable service. It also provides an alternative benefit of $50,000 for the surviving spouse, if it is larger than the 70 percent, annually.