Honorable Bill Ratliff, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB728 by Staples (Relating to the benefits provided to the survivors of certain public employees killed in the line of duty.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Public safety benefits under current statute provide for a $250,000 lump sum payment to the surviving spouse or child(ren) if there were no surviving spouse, or parents if there were no surviving spouse or child(ren). Other survivor benefits include the payment of funeral expenses, a monthly survivor annuity payment for the spouse and monthly assistance payments for surviving minor children.
The Employees Retirement System (ERS) has denied approximately one death benefit claim each year during the past four years that might have been approved if SB 728 had been law. For each additional death benefit claim, ERS estimates that $274,000 is paid for all benefits allowed under Chapter 615. Based on current claims activity, it appears that one additional claim per fiscal year could be absorbed within existing funding levels.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 327 Employees Retirement System