Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS.

This bill increases accidental death benefits for firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, hazardous materials responders, and fire instructors in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It raises the surviving spouse's pension from 50% to 70% of the member's final salary-based compensation (or $50,000, whichever is greater), and expands child benefits to 70% if no spouse survives. The bill also adds retroactive health insurance coverage for surviving spouses and children through employer-sponsored plans, and requires lump-sum payments for the difference between old and new benefits dating back to January 1, 2021. These changes align PERS accidental death benefits with those provided under the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System.