CoViD-19 has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths across New York State. Sadly, the pandemic’s victims include NYSLRS members who carried out their essential duties despite personal risk.
The families of these selfless members can take some comfort in knowing that they may be eligible for enhanced death benefits. Recently enacted legislation provides certain beneficiaries of public employees who contract CoViD-19 on the job and die from CoViD-19 with an accidental death benefit.
Most NYSLRS members are eligible for a death benefit if they die while in service; this “ordinary death benefit” provides a member’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries a single, lump sum payment, worth up to three years’ salary.
Alternatively, an “accidental death benefit” may be available to certain beneficiaries if the member’s death is a result of an on-the-job accident. The NYSLRS accidental death benefit is a pension paid to beneficiaries that are defined in statute, first to a surviving spouse, if no spouse to dependent children, then to dependent parent(s).
Generally, the accidental death benefit is equal to 50 percent of the member’s final average salary or last year’s salary depending on the retirement plan the member is enrolled in. You can find your retirement plan information on our Publications page here. In addition to the accidental death benefit, a special accidental death benefit may also be payable to a member of the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System.
“This new law is an important step toward protecting public workers who are on the front lines fighting the coronavirus and helping their communities,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “If something happens to them, they deserve their retirement benefits and the peace of mind that their families are provided for.”
Eligibility Requirements
A NYSLRS member’s statutory beneficiary would be eligible for the accidental death benefit if the member:
- Worked at either their normal workplace or another assigned workplace, not their residence, as directed by their employer, on or after March 01, 2020;
- Contracted CoViD-19 within 45 days of the last day that the member reported for work;
- Died on or before December 31, 2020; and
- Died from CoViD-19 or CoViD-19 caused or contributed to their death.
- The CoViD-19 benefit also applies to members who were working as of March 1 but have since retired prior to July 1, 2020. If a member met the eligibility requirements above, but died after retiring, their statutory beneficiary will have the option of converting the service retirement benefit or disability retirement benefit to an accidental death benefit.
The CoViD-19 benefit would be available for all NYSLRS members (Employees’ Retirement System as well as Police and Fire Retirement System members), regardless of job title, or tier. The legislation is effective through December 31, 2020.
How to Claim the Benefit
When someone calls NYSLRS to report a death, they should let us know it was CoViD-related. We will also ask for an original death certificate. We will then reach out to the beneficiary to assist them in claiming the benefit. For the CoViD-19 death benefit, NYSLRS will confirm with the employer the dates that the member reported to work and request the required documentation showing CoViD-19 as the cause of death. The CoViD-19 death benefit will be reduced by any ordinary death benefits paid out to a beneficiary by NYSLRS.
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