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Bill

A 4600

Permits companion to receive PFRS accidental death pension when there is no surviving spouse; requires adjustment of final compensation for calculation of accidental death benefit for surviving spouse, companion, and children of PFRS members.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 3 co-sponsors

New Jersey bill expands PFRS accidental death pension eligibility to include designated companions without spouses and adjusts benefit calculations for all survivors.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4600

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 4600 expands New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PFRS) accidental death benefits to include designated companions when no surviving spouse exists. The bill also requires recalculation of "final compensation" used to determine accidental death benefit amounts for spouses, companions, and children of PFRS members.

Why is this important

PFRS covers police officers, firefighters, and other public safety personnel. Accidental death benefits provide critical financial support to families after line-of-duty deaths. This bill modernizes eligibility rules to recognize non-traditional family structures and adjusts the calculation method that determines benefit amounts—potentially affecting both the size of individual benefits and overall pension fund obligations.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining "companion": The bill does not specify clear eligibility criteria (duration of relationship, documentation, legal recognition) for who qualifies as a companion, which could create disputes or administrative burden
  • Cost implications: Expanding beneficiary categories and recalculating final compensation could increase pension liabilities, raising questions about funding sustainability and taxpayer impact
  • Retroactivity concerns: Unclear whether adjusted calculations apply to existing cases or only future deaths, potentially creating fairness questions between similarly situated beneficiaries

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

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