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OregonSB 8522025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to post-retirement death benefits under the Public Employees Retirement System.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More pension choices for surviving spouses

Qualifying surviving spouses of Oregon public retirees can choose the benefit under ORS 238.390 or retirement Option 2 or 3. The member must have reached normal retirement age and retired from service. The member must have died before the deadline to change their retirement payment option. Retirement system records must name the spouse as beneficiary under ORS 238.390. The spouse must choose within 60 days after the member’s death.

Retirees face tighter pension adjustment rules

Some Oregon public retirees lose access to a pension adjustment when a non-marital relationship with their beneficiary ends. This applies to pension options under ORS 238A.190(1)(b) or (d). The adjustment remains available when the beneficiary dies or the marriage with that beneficiary ends after retirement.

Beneficiaries get remaining retirement savings upfront

Oregon’s public employee individual account program pays remaining savings to named beneficiaries in one lump sum after a member dies. This applies when the member chose installment payments and died before receiving the full balance. The payment includes remaining employee account money and vested employer account money.

More survivors receive lump sums instead

Oregon’s public retirement board pays survivor benefits under ORS 238.405 as a lump sum when monthly benefits are below $200. The old cutoff was below $30 per month. Survivors receive the allowance’s calculated actuarial value upfront, but lose the ongoing monthly payments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 86 • No: 1

House vote • 5/1/2025

Third reading. Carried by Elmer. Passed.

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 4/23/2025

Labor and Workplace Standards: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Third reading. Carried by Hayden. Passed.

Yes: 27 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/4/2025

Labor and Business: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 4 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date, January 1, 2026.

    5/20/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 70, 2025 Laws.

    5/20/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/12/2025Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    5/5/2025House

  5. President signed.

    5/5/2025Senate

  6. Third reading. Carried by Elmer. Passed.

    5/1/2025House

  7. Rules suspended. Carried over to May 1, 2025 Calendar.

    4/30/2025House

  8. Second reading.

    4/29/2025House

  9. Recommendation: Do pass.

    4/28/2025House

  10. Work Session held.

    4/23/2025House

  11. Public Hearing held.

    4/16/2025House

  12. Referred to Labor and Workplace Standards.

    2/20/2025House

  13. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    2/18/2025House

  14. Third reading. Carried by Hayden. Passed.

    2/11/2025Senate

  15. Second reading.

    2/6/2025Senate

  16. Recommendation: Do pass.

    2/6/2025Senate

  17. Public Hearing and Work Session held.

    2/4/2025Senate

  18. Public Hearing held.

    1/23/2025Senate

  19. Referred to Labor and Business.

    1/17/2025Senate

  20. Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

    1/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

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