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OklahomaHB 1458Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; death benefits; beneficiaries; transfer; disclaimer; time period; liability; effective date.

Sponsored By: John Kane (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Fixed death payment for Oklahoma public retirees

Beginning November 1, 2025, the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System pays a one-time death benefit to a beneficiary or the estate. It pays $4,000 if the retiree died before July 1, 1999. It pays $5,000 if the retiree died on or after July 1, 1999. The board may ask the IRS to treat this payment as life insurance for federal taxes; that applies only if the IRS approves. After OPERS pays, it is released from further liability for that payment.

Faster payouts and funeral assignment for Oklahoma pensions

Beginning November 1, 2025, OPERS may pay up to $25,000 without probate when no living beneficiary exists or the estate is the beneficiary. Heirs must provide proof of death; the will, trust, or an affidavit that no will exists; affidavits of heirship with contacts, shares, and no personal representative; a signed release by all heirs; a corroborating non-heir affidavit; and proof debts and final expenses are paid or provided for. The Executive Director decides whether to waive probate and can deny if any document is in doubt. A beneficiary can disclaim all or part of a death benefit in writing within nine months after the transfer or after turning 21, whichever is later. The disclaimed amount goes to a licensed funeral director or funeral business and does not change any tax duties. After OPERS pays under these rules, it is released from liability.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Kane

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Julie Daniels

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 209 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/1/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 46 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/1/2025

SENATE

Yes: 41 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Committee vote: Retirement & Government Resources

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

DO PASS

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote • 2/11/2025

DO PASS

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 05/09/2025

    5/12/2025House

  2. Sent to Governor

    5/5/2025House

  3. Enrolled measure signed, returned to House

    5/5/2025Senate

  4. Enrolled, signed, to Senate

    5/5/2025House

  5. Referred for enrollment

    5/1/2025House

  6. Engrossed measure signed, returned to House

    5/1/2025Senate

  7. Measure passed: Ayes: 46 Nays: 0

    5/1/2025Senate

  8. General Order, Considered

    5/1/2025Senate

  9. Placed on General Order

    4/17/2025Senate

  10. Reported Do Pass Retirement and Government Resources committee; CR filed

    4/15/2025Senate

  11. Second Reading referred to Retirement and Government Resources

    4/1/2025Senate

  12. First Reading

    3/12/2025Senate

  13. Engrossed, signed, to Senate

    3/12/2025House

  14. Referred for engrossment

    3/11/2025House

  15. Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 93 Nays: 0

    3/11/2025House

  16. General Order

    3/11/2025House

  17. CR; Do Pass Government Oversight Committee

    3/4/2025House

  18. Authored by Senator Daniels (principal Senate author)

    2/12/2025House

  19. Policy recommendation to the Government Oversight committee; Do Pass Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

    2/12/2025House

  20. Referred to Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

    2/4/2025House

  21. Second Reading referred to Government Oversight

    2/4/2025House

  22. Authored by Representative Kane

    2/3/2025House

  23. First Reading

    2/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled (final version)

    5/5/2025

    PDF

  • Floor (Senate)

    4/16/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Committee Report

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • Engrossed

    3/12/2025

    PDF

  • Floor (House)

    3/4/2025

    PDF

  • House Committee Report

    3/4/2025

    PDF

  • House Policy Committee Report

    2/12/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/15/2025

    PDF

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