Existing law defines a spouse, for purposes of qualification for specified survivors’ benefits under the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teachers’ Retirement Plan, as a person who was married to the member of the program for a continuous period beginning at least 12 months prior to the death of the member, unless specified conditions exist.
This bill would additionally define a spouse, for these purposes, as a person who was married to the member for less than 12 months, if the member’s death was accidental, as defined, or for the period beginning prior to the occurrence of the injury or diagnosis of the illness that resulted in death, except as specified.