NY A10022

Extends the COVID-19 death benefit for public employees from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, allowing beneficiaries of members who died from COVID-19 to receive accidental death benefits instead of ordinary death benefits.

Applies to members of New York City retirement systems (NYCERS, TRS, BERS, POLICE, FIRE), New York State retirement systems (ERS, PFRS), and NYSTRS who physically reported to work on or after March 1, 2020 and contracted COVID-19 within 45 days of that work date.

Accidental death benefits provide a lifetime annuity of 50% of the member's most recent year's salary, significantly increasing payouts compared to ordinary death benefits (typically three times salary).

Requires documentation of COVID-19 as cause or contributing factor through death certificate, positive lab test within 45 days of work, or certification by qualified medical providers.

Estimated additional cost per death ranges from $180,200 to $2,158,300 depending on the retirement system and member's age, with first-year annual employer contribution increases of $21,300 to $255,300 per affected member.