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How Much Life Insurance is Provided as a Survivor Benefit for State Firefighters in California?

Published in Firefighter Survivor Benefits 2 mins read

The life insurance survivor benefit provided to beneficiaries of State firefighters in California includes a tax-free, lump-sum payment of $5,000. Additionally, for firefighters with less than 20 years of State service, this benefit is supplemented with an amount equivalent to six months of their pay. This benefit is typically provided under a Group Term Life Insurance plan.

This specific survivor benefit is designed to offer financial support to the families of State firefighters in the event of their death. It is important to note that the total amount received can vary based on the firefighter's length of service.

Breakdown of Survivor Benefits

The structure of the survivor benefit is designed to provide a base amount to all eligible beneficiaries, with an additional component for those who have not yet reached a significant milestone in their state service.

Key Components:

  • Base Lump-Sum Benefit: A fixed amount provided to all eligible survivors.
  • Service-Based Supplement: An additional amount calculated based on the firefighter's salary and years of service, specifically for those with less than 20 years in State service.

Benefit Structure at a Glance

To clarify the potential amounts, here is a summary of the benefits:

Eligibility Criterion Benefit Amount
All eligible State firefighter survivors $5,000 (Tax-Free, Lump-Sum)
Plus, for State firefighters with < 20 years service An additional amount equal to six months' pay of the deceased firefighter.

This means a State firefighter's survivor could receive the base $5,000, or $5,000 plus six months of the firefighter's salary, depending on the years of service. For instance, if a firefighter with 15 years of service had a monthly pay of $6,000, their survivor would receive $5,000 plus $36,000 (6 x $6,000), totaling $41,000.

Understanding Group Term Life Insurance

Group Term Life Insurance is a common type of life insurance provided by employers or organizations to their employees or members. It offers coverage for a specific period (term) and often comes with a set benefit amount. For firefighters, these benefits are crucial for providing financial security to their loved ones in recognition of the inherent risks of their profession.