53:5A-15. Death benefit coverage; former officers, noncommissioned officers or troopers covered under pre-existing group life program

a. In the case of any officer, noncommissioned officer or trooper of the Division of State Police of the Department of Law and Public Safety of the State of New Jersey becoming a member of the retirement system who was covered on the day immediately prior to July 1, 1965 under the then existing group life insurance program of the New Jersey State Police, the State Treasurer shall provide for death benefit coverage, in the amount described in this subsection for such member after he retires and receives a retirement allowance pursuant to the provisions of this act, subject to the conditions hereinafter stated.

(1) In order to obtain the coverage during retirement as herein provided, the member must make written request therefor to the retirement system within 90 days of July 1, 1965 and must agree to make, after retirement, the contributions required for such coverage as described by subsection c. of this section, except that if any such officer, noncommissioned officer or trooper was disabled on July 1, 1965 but subsequently recovers from such disability and becomes a member of the retirement system, such request may be made within 90 days after the date he becomes a member of the retirement system.

(2) Each such officer, noncommissioned officer and trooper may cancel his request for the death benefit coverage described herein, either before or after retirement, by giving written notice to the retirement system. The amounts of death benefits provided for under this subsection while the former member is receiving a retirement allowance pursuant to this act shall be the same amount or amounts as would have been continued for such former member after his retirement under the group life insurance program, hereinabove referred to, had such program remained in effect and unchanged and such former member had remained covered thereunder, less an amount equal to 1/2 of the member's final compensation.

b. The State Treasurer shall provide on and after July 1, 1965 for death benefit coverage in the amounts described in this subsection for each former officer, noncommissioned officer and trooper who was covered on the day immediately prior to July 1, 1965 under the then existing group life insurance program of the New Jersey State Police and was then retired and receiving retirement benefits under the provisions of the former State Police Retirement and Benevolent Fund, subject to the conditions hereinafter stated:

(1) In order to obtain the death benefit coverage as herein provided, such former officer, noncommissioned officer or trooper must make the contributions required for such coverage as described in subsection c. of this section.

(2) If coverage or benefits are afforded a former officer, noncommissioned officer or trooper under the aforesaid group life insurance program of the New Jersey State Police after July 1, 1965 by reason of his disability, the death benefits provided by this subsection shall in no event apply to him unless such coverage and benefits shall cease by reason of his recovery from disability. In such event the foregoing provisions of this subsection shall apply from the date of such cessation. The amounts of death benefit continued under this subsection shall be the same amount or amounts as would have been continued for such former officer, noncommissioned officer or trooper after his retirement under the group life insurance program, hereinabove referred to, had such program remained in effect and unchanged during his retirement and he had remained covered thereunder.

c. The contributions required during retirement for the death benefit coverage provided for by this section shall be determined from the schedules of contributions established by the retirement system. Such contributions shall be deducted from the former officer's, noncommissioned officer's or trooper's retirement allowance or benefits but if there be no retirement allowance or benefits available from which such contributions may be deducted, it shall be the obligation of such former officer, noncommissioned officer or trooper to make such contribution directly to the retirement system, as required by the system.

d. Upon receipt of proper proofs of the death of any former officer, noncommissioned officer or trooper of the New Jersey State Police while covered for death benefit coverage pursuant to the provisions of this section, there shall be paid to such former officer's, noncommissioned officer's or trooper's beneficiary, the amount for which he is covered at the time of his death pursuant to said subsection a. or said subsection b., as the case may be.

e. Any other provision of this act notwithstanding, the contributions of any person for death benefit coverage under this section shall not be returnable to such person or his beneficiary or death benefit payee in any manner, or for any reason whatsoever, nor shall such contributions be included in any annuity payable to any such person or his beneficiary.

L.1965, c. 89, s. 15, eff. July 1, 1965. Amended by L.1966, c. 153, s. 7, eff. June 18, 1966; L.1971, c. 181, s. 13, eff. June 1, 1971.