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Bill

S 4844

Establishes "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Bucco and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill creates state annuity program providing financial support to families of military service members who died in service.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4844

Legislative bill overview

S 4844 establishes a "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program" to provide financial support to families of military members who died in service. The bill creates a new state-administered program with dedicated funding mechanisms to deliver annuities to eligible Gold Star families.

Why is this important

Gold Star families have lost a loved one in military service and face significant financial and emotional hardship. This program would provide New Jersey with a dedicated state-level benefit system to support these families beyond federal benefits, acknowledging their sacrifice and offering direct economic relief.

Potential points of contention

  • Program cost and funding source: The bill's fiscal impact is unclear—determining how the state will fund ongoing annuity payments could require new revenue or budget reallocation, sparking debate over prioritization
  • Eligibility criteria: Questions may arise about who qualifies (e.g., all service deaths, only combat-related, specific time periods), which could create disputes about fairness and inclusivity
  • Adequacy of benefits: Debate over whether proposed annuity amounts are sufficient and whether they might duplicate or conflict with existing federal survivor benefits, potentially creating gaps or overlaps

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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