This section requires survivor benefits to be paid to qualified survivors when a member dies in the line of duty or from a qualifying injury, with special percentage rules for certain family members and violence-related deaths.
§618. Survivors' benefits for members killed in the line of duty; death by an intentional act of violence A. If a member's death occurs in the line of duty or is a direct result of an injury sustained while in the line of duty, survivor benefits shall be payable to qualified survivors as provided for in this Section, except that a survivor shall be eligible for benefits under this Section without regard to the amount of time that the surviving spouse was married to the deceased member and without regard to the amount of time that the deceased was a member of this plan. This benefit is payable only if the injury or injuries were sustained while on active duty status. B.(1) If the member has a surviving spouse, minor, or handicapped or mentally incapacitated child or children, the amount of the total benefit shall equal eighty percent of the member's average compensation. The benefit shall be shared equally by the surviving spouse and children. When a child who is not handicapped or mentally incapacitated no longer meets the definition of minor child under R.S. 11:403, his benefit shall cease, and the remaining beneficiaries shall have their shares adjusted accordingly. (2) If the member's death resulted from an intentional act of violence and the member has a surviving spouse, minor, or handicapped or mentally incapacitated child or children, the amount of the total benefit shall equal one hundred percent of the member's average compensation. The benefit shall be shared equally by the surviving spouse and children. When a child who is not handicapped or mentally incapacitated no longer meets the definition of minor child under R.S. 11:403, his benefit shall cease, and the remaining beneficiaries shall have their shares adjusted accordingly. (3) The benefit of the surviving spouse, minor, or handicapped or mentally incapacitated child or children of any member of this system, who would otherwise be eligible for benefits under the plan except that the member's first employment making him eligible for membership in any state system occurred on or before December 31, 2010, and whose death resulted from an intentional act of violence shall be equal to one hundred percent of the member's average compensation. The benefit shall be equally shared by the surviving spouse and children. When a child who is not handicapped or mentally incapacitated no longer meets the definition of minor child under R.S. 11:403, his benefit shall cease, and the remaining beneficiaries shall have their shares adjusted accordingly. C. The provisions of R.S. 11:472 through 477 concerning procedures for payment of survivor benefits which are not in conflict with this Section shall apply to members. D. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any member of this plan who: (1) Has participated in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan; or (2) Is a retiree of the system who is reemployed under Option 1 or Option 3 as provided in R.S. 11:416. Acts 2010, No. 992, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2011, No. 368, §1, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2018, No. 224, §1, eff. May 15, 2018.