CSEA Retirees president testifies to be included in death benefit hike bill

CSEA Retirees, Inc. is taking steps to be included in legislation that would increase the death benefit for retired members. However, CalPERS committee members noted that the future isn’t bright for any bill with increased costs to the state.

AB 1477 (Krekorian) is sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers (CFT), who are seeking to increase the current $2,000 death benefit their members receive to $6,163.

CSEA Retirees President Roger Marxen testified before the CalPERS Benefits and Program Administration Committee April 21 that the committee should approve the bill if an amendment is made to include CSEA Retirees, Inc. members.

A representative of the CFT said the organization would have no opposition to adding CSEA Retirees, Inc. in the legislation.

In earlier legislation sponsored by CSEA Retirees, Inc. the CalPERS Board of Administration stopped short of supporting the bill because it did not include certain other public employees.

Proponents of AB 1477 say that the current death benefit is inadequate when compared to the actual cost of a funeral. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the median cost of a full-service funeral in 2006 was $7,323.

The $6,163 figure requested in the legislation is the same as what retired teachers currently receive.