Updated: November 2009

One-time Death Benefit Workers' Comp pays a one-time benefit of $5,000 to surviving spouse and children. For members covered under the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS): $2,000 life insurance benefit and a $5,000 accidental death benefit. Contact: Public Employees' Retirement System Alaska Department of Administration Division of Retirement and Benefits P.O. Box 11023 Juneau, AK 99811-0203 Phone: (907) 465-4460 or (800) 821-2251 Website: www.state.ak.us/drb/pers/death-benefits.shtml Workers' Compensation Career firefighters: For surviving spouse with no children, benefit is equal to 80% of the employee's spendable weekly wage (gross less federal income and social security taxes). For surviving spouse with one child, 90% of the employee's spendable weekly wage. For spouse with two or more children, 100% of the spendable weekly wage. For no spouse and one or more children, 100% of the employee's spendable weekly wage. Wages are subject to the minimum and maximum benefit caps, which are set by the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board each year. Upon remarriage spouse receives two-year lump sum and benefits terminate. Benefits to spouse end 10 years after firefighter's death unless spouse has reached age 52 or is permanently and totally disabled. Children eligible until age 19 or married; full-time students receive benefits regardless of age, for first four years following the firefighter's death. Volunteer firefighters: A political subdivision may elect to provide benefits and compensation to its volunteer firefighters. It must obtain insurance that would provide benefits and compensation at least equivalent to those provided by the state. If a volunteer firefighter is injured in the line of duty, the computation shall be based on the minimum gross weekly earnings paid a fulltime firefighter employed in the political subdivision where the injury occurred or other similar formula. It must be equal to or greater than the minimum wage computed on the basis of a 40-hour week. Contact: Workers' Compensation Division of the Department of Labor 1111 West 8th St., Room 305 P.O. Box 115512 Juneau, AK 99801-5512 Phone: (907) 465-2790 Fax: (907) 465-2797 Website: www.labor.state.ak.us/wc/wc.htm. (Reference: Alaska Workers' Compensation Act, AK Statutes 23-30-215; See also Workers' Comp Bulletin 09-02, Death Benefits 2009.) Funeral Benefit Maximum of $5,000 for burial expenses. Spouse and/or children also get a lump sum of $5,000. Workers' Compensation Division of the Department of Labor 1111 West 8th St., Room 305 P.O. Box 115512 Juneau, AK 99801-5512 Phone: (907) 465-2790 Fax: (907) 465-2797 Website: www.labor.state.ak.us/wc/wc.htm. Retirement/Pension Plan Members of PERS who die from occupational causes: The eligible survivor receives a monthly pension. It is the greater of 50% of the gross salary or 75% of the normal retirement benefit the member would have received at retirement. The member does not have to be vested to qualify for occupational death benefits. The spouse is automatically the designated beneficiary. If there is no eligible spouse, children equally divide the pension. Major medical insurance coverage is available to survivors who are receiving monthly PERS benefits and their dependents. This coverage ends when the benefit recipient dies or is no longer eligible to receive monthly PERS benefits. Contact: Public Employees' Retirement System Alaska Department of Administration Division of Retirement and Benefits P.O. Box 11023 Juneau, AK 99811-0203 Phone: (907) 465-4460 or (800) 821-2251 Website: www.state.ak.us/drb/pers/death-benefits.shtml Education Benefit - Children Provides tuition and fees to institutions in the University of Alaska system. Contact: Alaska Advantage Program 3030 Vintage Blvd. Juneau, AK 99801-7100 www.alaskaadvantage.state.al.us Phone: (907) 441-2962 or Toll Free: (800) 441-2962 Also contact the business office at the specific campus of attendance within the University system. Education Benefit - Spouse Provides tuition and fees to institutions in the University of Alaska system. Contact: Alaska Advantage Program 3030 Vintage Blvd. Juneau, AK 99801-7100 www.alaskaadvantage.state.al.us Phone: (907) 441-2962 or Toll Free: (800) 441-2962 Business office at the specific campus of attendence within the University system. Non-Profit or Private Organizations Alaska State Firefighters Association P.O. Box 22092 Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: (907) 841-4757 Website: www.alaskastatefirefighters.org Association members receive a $2,000.00 death and disability benefit.