SB 1246 Summary

• Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 38-846 to allow designated beneficiaries to receive survivor benefits from the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), in addition to surviving spouses.

• Removes the requirement that a surviving spouse must have been married to the deceased member for at least two consecutive years to qualify for survivor benefits.

• Extends survivor pension eligibility to designated beneficiaries of deceased members and retired members, with the same payment amounts as surviving spouses would receive.

• Requires beneficiaries to file written applications with the system to receive survivor benefits, consistent with existing requirements for spouses and guardians.

• Adds a new provision ensuring that beneficiary payments do not violate Arizona community property laws.