FL H0577

Authorizes the City of Tampa to offer supplemental pension contracts to firefighters and police officers who are active members as of October 1, 2012, or who become members thereafter.

Increases survivor benefits for widows, widowers, and children of members who die in the line of duty by raising the widow/widower benefit from 50% to 65% of final year's earnings and child benefits from 7.5% to 15% of final earnings.

Makes joint annuitants who are lawfully wedded spouses eligible for the 13th check supplemental pension distribution, previously available only to retired members and certain surviving spouses.

Requires that all changes in the pension contract be accepted as a package; active members may voluntarily sign the supplemental contract before October 1, 2012, while new members hired after that date must accept all provisions as a condition of membership.

Effective date: October 1, 2012.