Updated: December 2009

One-time Death Benefit None. Workers' Compensation Career firefighters: Spousal benefit is 66 2/3% of average earnings, paid in installments plus a monthly allowance for each dependent child. Benefit payable to spouse until death or remarriage. Upon remarriage, spouse is paid a lump sum equal to two years of compensation and benefits terminate. Children eligible until age 18, age 22 if a full-time student, or for life if incapable of self-support. Volunteer firefighters: Benefit is calculated at the state's maximum compensation allowable for death or injury. Education Benefit: A deceased employee's dependents are each also entitled to a $2,000 a year (for up to five years) benefit if they are enrolled in an accredited SD post-secondary educational institution. Contact: Division of Labor and Management South Dakota Department of Labor, Kneip Building 700 Governors Drive Pierre, SD 57501-2291 Phone: (605) 773-3681 Website: www.sdjobs.org (Reference: SD Codified Laws Chapter 62-4-8, 12-15) Funeral Benefit When injury causes death, eligible for a maximum of $7,500 for burial expenses, including expense of a headstone grave marker. Employer also pays expense of transporting the body to the community where the employee will be buried. Contact: Division of Labor and Management South Dakota Department of Labor, Kneip Building 700 Governors Drive Pierre, SD 57501-2291 Phone: (605) 773-3681 Website: www.sdjobs.org (Reference: § 64-4-16) Retirement/Pension Plan Career firefighters: Covers career firefighters employed by city, county or state, except for Sioux City. The surviving spouse having the care of children shall receive an annual amount, payable in monthly installments, equal to 50% of the highest annual compensation earned by the member during any one of the last three years of service, plus 10% of such compensation for each child up to a maximum of six children. There is a provision for the purchase of additional spouse coverage. There is an annual COLA adjustment. Contact: South Dakota Retirement System P.O. Box 1098 Pierre, SD 57501-1098 Phone: (605) 773-3731 or (888) 605-SDRS Website: legis.state.sd.us/statutes/index.aspx or www.sdrs.sd.gov Disability and Optional Spouse coverage booklets are on the SDRS website. Education Benefit - Children If death is a direct result of injury received in performance of official duties, undergraduate tuition waived for children under age 21 at the time of the firefighter's death. Must attend a state-supported institution of higher education or state-supported technical or vocational school. Benefit available for 36 months or 8 semesters. Contact: South Dakota Board of Regents 306 E. Capital Avenue, Suite 200 Pierre, SD 57501-3159 (605) 773-3455 If covered under Workers' Compensation, dependents may also be eligible for a scholarship of $2,000 per year for up to five years payable to a state post-secondary education institute. Contact: Division of Labor and Management South Dakota Department of Labor, Kneip Building 700 Governors Drive, 3rd Floor Pierre, SD 57501-2291 Phone: (605) 773-3681 Website: www.sdjobs.org (Reference: SDCL 62-4-81) Education Benefit - Spouse Contact: Division of Labor and Management South Dakota Department of Labor, Kneip Building 700 Governors Drive, 3rd Floor Pierre, SD 57501-2291 100% membership provides $10,000 of Accident and Dismemberment insurance. Members can purchase coverage up to $50,000. Non-Profit or Private Organizations South Dakota Firefighters Association Division of Labor and Management PO Box 626 Pierre, SD 57501 Phone: (605) 773-3681 e-Mail: labor@dol-pr.state.sd.us