Increases accidental death benefit for surviving spouse or surviving children of certain PERS members and retirants; provides accidental death benefit to beneficiary of certain PERS and PFRS members and retirants; redefines child.

This bill (S 1202) increases accidental death benefits for surviving spouses and children of certain public safety workers who die on duty in New Jersey. It directly affects members and retirees of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), specifically law enforcement officers, correction officers, firefighters, and related emergency personnel. Key changes include expanding the definition of "child" to include students under 24 enrolled full-time in higher education, children of any age with qualifying disabilities, and clarifying eligibility for "widower" benefits. The benefit applies only when death results from an accident during the performance of duty, excluding willful misconduct. The bill amends existing retirement system statutes to update these provisions.