Senate bill · S10435 (2025-26)
Permits surviving spouses of certain members to retain accidental death benefits upon remarriage
New York State Senate
Summary
Permits surviving spouses of certain members to retain accidental death benefits upon remarriage; provides for regaining of any such lost benefits prior to the rule change.
Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries
Amends the Retirement and Social Security Law.
From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data
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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo
Section 1 amends subdivision b of section 607 of the Retirement and Social Security Law by providing that a surviving spouse remains an eligible beneficiary for accidental death benefits upon remarriage Section 2 amends section 607 of the Retirement and Social Security Law by adding a new subdivision d which provides for retroactive rein- statement of accidental death benefits for surviving spouses whose receipt of the same ceased as a result of their remarriage Section 3 states the effect date of the legislation
Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)
Where it stands
Assigned to a committee for review.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Civil Service And Pensions · New York State Senate
The sponsor's argument
Why Robert Jackson says this is needed
This bill seeks to ensure that all surviving spouses of eligible retire- ment plan members who died due to their efforts in the World Trade Center rescue and recovery operations are permitted to remarry without forfeiting the financial security promised by accidental death benefits. In so doing, this bill remedies an inequity currently faced by the widows and widowers of Tier 4 and 6 retirement plan members. Unlike Tier 2 and 3 members, the surviving spouses of Tier 4 and 6 members cease to be eligible for World Trade Center accidental death benefits in the event that they remarry. There is no rational basis for this inequity. The purpose of these accidental death benefits has been to provide long- term financial stability for the families of the public servants who courageously risked their lives in the wake of the World Trade Center tragedy of September 11, 2001. Remarriage does not necessarily eliminate the financial needs or obligations of the surviving spouses, particular- ly if they share children with the deceased member or have ongoing financial commitments arising from their marriage. Additionally, continuing the accidental death benefits after remarriage is a way to honor and respect the memory and service of the fallen member. It maintains a lasting gesture of gratitude and acknowledgment from the community for the service rendered by the member. Extending these benefits to Tier 4 and 6 spouses puts them on par with Tier 3 and 2 spouses and gives them full freedom to remarry.
This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.
Full history
- May 15, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
NY Senate