NY S09119

Extends the expiration date for COVID-19 death benefits from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024 for public employees in New York State and New York City retirement systems.

Allows beneficiaries of public employees who died from COVID-19 to receive accidental death benefits (a lifetime annuity of 50% of the member's most recent year's salary) instead of ordinary death benefits (typically a lump sum of three times salary).

Requires the employee to have physically reported to work on or after March 1, 2020, contracted COVID-19 within 45 days of reporting, and died on or before December 31, 2024, with COVID-19 documented on the death certificate or certified by a qualified medical provider.

Applies to members of New York City retirement systems (NYCERS, TRS, BERS, POLICE, FIRE) and New York State systems (ERS, PFRS, NYSTRS).

Takes effect immediately and is retroactive to March 1, 2020, with provisions expiring December 31, 2024.