Maine § 18556. - Special survivor benefit option
Full text of Maine Maine Revised Statutes § 18556. — Special survivor benefit option, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 18556.. Special survivor benefit option
1. Manner of adoption. A participating local district may adopt the special survivor benefit option under this section in addition to the benefits provided under section 18553 in the manner set forth in section 18202.
2. Limitation of beneficiaries. A participating local district which adopts this section may limit the designated beneficiaries eligible for these benefits and may limit the undesignated beneficiaries eligible for benefits if no beneficiary is designated. Any later change in the designation of the beneficiaries must be made in accordance with section 18202.
3. Effective date. A participating local district that elects to adopt this section shall designate January 1, 1987 for purposes of determining which persons currently receiving benefits under section 18553, subsections 3 to 5, may elect benefits under this section, if eligible. Benefit recomputation and payment for any person electing benefits under this section become effective on the first day of the month following notification to the board of the adoption of this section.
4. Retroactive adoption of this section. In a participating local district which has adopted this section retroactively, a person currently receiving benefits under section 18553, subsections 3 to 5 may, if eligible, elect to receive benefits under this section in lieu of benefits under section 18553, subsections 3 to 5 under the following conditions.
A. The person must apply in writing to the chief executive officer. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]
B. The application must be received by the chief executive officer within 6 months after the notification to the board by the participating local district adopting this section. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]
5. Election of benefit. In lieu of accepting the benefits under section 18553, the first listed of the beneficiaries under paragraph A or B, whichever applies, may, if living at the death of the qualifying member, elect the benefits in this section, if the deceased qualifying member had 20 years of creditable service at the time of the qualifying member's death.
A. If a beneficiary was designated under section 18552, the following designated beneficiaries of the deceased are eligible to make the election under this subsection:
(2) Dependent child or dependent children; or
(3) Parent or parents. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
B. If no beneficiary was designated under section 18552, the following relatives of the deceased, if any, alive at the qualifying member's death are eligible to make the election under this subsection:
(2) Dependent child or dependent children; or
(3) Parent or parents. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
6. Payment of benefits. Benefits under this section shall be paid as follows.
A. The benefit must be computed in accordance with section 18452, subsection 1, and must be reduced in accordance with section 18452, subsection 3, as if the service retirement of the qualifying member had taken place on the date of the qualifying member's death. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §156 (COR).]
B. The beneficiary shall be paid, beginning the first month after the death of the qualifying member and continuing until the date of the beneficiary's death. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
C. Benefits under this section shall be paid in accordance with section 18404, subsection 3. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine § 18556.
What does Maine Revised Statutes § 18556. cover?
Section 18556. ("Special survivor benefit option") is part of the Maine Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Maine. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Maine § 18556.?
A common citation format is "Maine Revised Statutes § 18556." (Maine). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Maine law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Maine official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Maine attorney.
How does Maine § 18556. apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Maine can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Maine.