Updated: November 2009

One-time Death Benefit The Public Safety Memorial Fund provides benefits of up to $25,000. The Fund may also award the spouse an amount up to the equivalent of 12 monthly mortgage payments if no mortgage insurance. Contact: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway SE Salem, OR 97317 Phone: (503) 378-2431 Website: http://www.oregon.gov/DPSST/MF/index.shtml Oregon Reserved Statutes Chapter 243 "Public Employees Rights and Benefits" Workers' Compensation Spousal benefit is 4.35 times 66 2/3% of the State's Average Weekly Wage (SAWW). Children are eligible until age 18, age 23 if attending higher education, or longer if disabled. Upon remarriage, spouse receives a lump sum equal to 36 months payment and benefits cease; monthly payments for eligible children continue. Volunteer firefighters: Covered only if the municipality has elected to provide coverage. Contact: Workers' Compensation Division Department of Consumer and Business Services 350 Winter Street NE, Room 27 Salem, OR 97301-0405 (503) 947-7810 Toll Free:(800) 452-0288 Fax: (503) 947-7581 Website: www.wcd.oregon.gov (Reference: OR Revised Statutes 656-204-2 (a & b)) Funeral Benefit Career firefighters: Benefit is 10 times the State's Average Weekly Wage. Current benefit is $7,568.00 Volunteer firefighters: Covered only if the municipality has elected to provide coverage. Contact: Workers' Compensation Division Department of Consumer and Business Services 350 Winter Street NE, Room 27 Salem, OR 97301-0405 (503) 947-7810 Toll Free:(800) 452-0288 Fax: (503) 947-7581 Website: www.wcd.oregon.gov Retirement/Pension Plan Career firefighters: Must be a member of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System to receive benefits. Beneficiary has three options for death benefit distribution: Total Distribution - receives 100% refund of member account balance and employer matching death benefit; Straight Life Annuity - receives lifetime monthly benefit from the member account balance and employer matching death benefit; and Partial Distribution Plus Pension - receives 100% of member account balance and monthly lifetime pension from employer matching death benefit. Under PERS, these are Police and Firefighter (P & F) Units that may be purchased with after-tax dollars. Contact: Oregon Public Employees Retirement System 11410 SW 68th Parkway P.O. Box 23700 Tigard, OR 97281-3700 Phone: (503) 798-7377 or (888) 320-7377 Fax: (503) 698-0561Website: www.oregon.gov/PERS/. (Reference: ORS 656-204) Education Benefit - Children Career firefighters: Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant Program pays all tuition and fees at a state institution for 12 quarters of undergraduate study and 12 quarters of postgraduate study. If attending a private institution, compensation will be based on expenses at the University of Oregon. Must attend full-time, be an Oregon resident, and have financial need. Must re-apply annually. Contact: Oregon Student Assistance Commission Grant and Scholarships Division 1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100 Eugene, OR 97401 Phone: (541) 687-7395 or (800) 452-8807 (ext. 7395) Wesbite: www.osac.state.or.us (Reference: Oregon Reserved Statutes 237.610) The Public Safety Memorial Fund may award scholarships for an undergraduate education. Eligibility based partly on the financial need of the applicant. Children who are under age 18 at the time of death can apply for this benefit up to five years after high school graduation. Scholarships may not exceed the highest tuition charged by a state institution of higher education for an undergraduate program. Note: Scholarships are based upon available funds and may be limited by the anticipated demands on the Public Safety Memorial Fund. Contact: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway SE Salem, OR 97317 Website: www.oregon.gov/DPSST/MF/ Education Benefit - Spouse The Public Safety Memorial Fund provides the same assistance as to children, provided the spouse has not remarried. Contact: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway SE Salem, OR 97317 Website: www.oregon.gov/DPSST/MF/ Non-Profit or Private Organizations None. Insurance Benefit Every public entity is required to provide a $10,000 accident and death insurance for each employee, including volunteers. Administered by Oregon Department of Administrative Services. Contact: Risk Management Division Department of Administrative Services 1225 Ferry Street SE Salem, OR 97301 Phone: (503) 373-7475 or (503) 378-5515 E-mail: risk.management@state.or.us Website: risk.das.state.or.us The Public Safety Memorial Fund awards an amount sufficient to allow the spouse and children to purchase health and dental insurance comparable to that provided by the public safety officer. Benefit for the spouse will continue for five years or until the spouse remarries, whichever occurs first. Benefits for the children continue until age 18 or age 23 if a full-time student. Additionally, Health and dental benefits may be available with qualifications. Contact: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway SE Salem, OR 97317 Phone: (503) 378-2100 Website: www.oregon.gov/DPSST/MF/