Relates to providing cost-of-living adjustments

This bill increases the monthly pension benefits for surviving spouses of deceased retired public employees from fifty percent to one hundred percent of the amount the deceased would have received while alive. The change applies to retirees in state systems, including education and social security, as well as New York City employees in police, fire, and education retirement funds. Effective September 1, 2027, these enhanced benefits will begin in the month following the retiree's death or in September 2027, whichever occurs later. The legislation amends existing laws across multiple statutes to implement this increase without altering other provisions of the retirement systems.