N.Y. Retirement & Social Security Law Section 508-A
Death benefit for vested members who die prior to retirement

a.

A death benefit plus the reserve-for-increased-take-home-pay, if any, shall be payable upon the death of a member of a retirement system who:

1.

Died before the effective date of retirement while a member of such retirement system;

2.

Had at least ten years of credited service at the time of death; and

3.

Died at a time and in a manner which did not result in the eligibility of the member’s estate or any beneficiary to receive any death benefits from such retirement system on account of such death.

b.

Benefits provided under this section shall be payable to the member’s estate or the beneficiary or beneficiaries nominated by the member on a designation of beneficiary form filed with the administrative head of such retirement system.

c.

The amount of the benefit payable pursuant to this section shall be equal to one-half of the amount of the ordinary death benefit which would have been payable had the member’s death occurred on the last day of service upon which membership was based.

Source: Section 508-A — Death benefit for vested members who die prior to retirement, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RSS/508-A (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 18, 2025).

500
Application 501
Definitions 502
Eligibility for service retirement benefits 503
Eligibility for normal and early service retirement benefits 504
Service retirement benefits 504‑A
Twenty-year retirement program for New York city correction members below the rank of captain 504‑B
Twenty-year retirement program for New York city correction members of the rank of captain or above 504‑C
Supplemental retirement allowance 504‑D
Twenty-year retirement program for New York city correction members 505
Service retirement benefits 506
Ordinary disability benefits 507
Accidental disability benefits 507‑A
Disability retirement 507‑B
Performance of duty disability retirement 507‑C
Performance of duty disability retirement 507‑D
Disability benefits 507‑E
Uniformed court officers and peace officers 507‑F
Accidental disability retirement 507‑G
Payment of both pensions for accident and other benefits prohibited 507‑H
Retirement for disability incurred in performance of duty 507‑I
Disability benefits 508
Death benefits 508‑A
Death benefit for vested members who die prior to retirement 508‑B
Death benefit for deputy sheriffs employed by Nassau county 508‑B*2
Death benefits for correction officers employed by Nassau county 508‑B*3
Death benefits for correction officers employed by Suffolk county 508‑B*4
Death benefits for deputy sheriffs employed by Suffolk county 508‑C
Death benefits for fire marshals employed by Nassau county 509
Accidental death benefits 509‑A
COVID-19 benefit 510
Escalation of benefits 511
Coordination with social security benefits 512
Final average salary 513
Credit for service 514
Options 515
Optional retirement program 516
Vesting 517
Member contributions 517‑A
Termination of membership 517‑B
Loans to members of a teachers’ retirement system 517‑C
Loans to members of certain retirement systems 518
Election of coverage under article 519
Effect of other laws 520
Duration
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Jan. 18, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 508-A’s source at nysenate​.gov

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