Retirement systems use a 35-year limit for World Trade Center death benefits

Retirement systems would treat an eligible retiree’s death as duty-related and provide an accidental death benefit to an eligible beneficiary. The rules cover eligible retirees and some vestees in state, local, New York City, and education retirement systems, including certain police, firefighters, corrections officers, emergency medical workers, and bridge-and-tunnel workers. The worker must meet the listed retirement-system criteria and must have died from a qualifying World Trade Center condition or impairment tied to the rescue, recovery, or cleanup work. The applicable retirement-system head or medical board must determine that the condition qualifies. The beneficiary must apply in writing and give up future payments under the service, disability, or vested retirement benefit after the worker’s death. Payments may be reduced by amounts paid or payable to other beneficiaries. The act takes effect immediately and applies the 35-year retirement limit to the described death-benefit claims.