AK HB151

Amends AS 39.35.430 to allow surviving spouses married less than one year to a peace officer or firefighter who died between January 1, 1961 and January 1, 1976 to receive monthly survivor's pension benefits if they would have been eligible with a one-year marriage.

Permits surviving spouses to receive pension benefits regardless of concurrent payments to dependent children, and protects dependent children's eligibility from termination due to spousal pension payments.

First payment of surviving spouse pension shall be for July 2011, with pension amounts calculated under AS 39.35.340(g), 39.35.430, and 39.35.475, and annual increases calculated from the year the officer or firefighter died.

Prohibits retroactive application of benefits to dates preceding the effective date and requires the commissioner of administration to adopt regulations consistent with the Act by July 1, 2011.

Takes effect July 1, 2011, except regulations authority takes effect immediately.