City of Scranton, PA Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund

A deceased fireman or policeman of the City who prior to January 1, 1975, had received or was eligible to receive retirement benefits either for length of service or disability in accordance with statutes, ordinances of the City or rules and regulations of either the Firemen's Relief and Pension Fund or the Policemen's Retirement Fund.

§ 99-96 Benefits.

Each unmarried widow of a deceased retired fireman or policeman shall be entitled to the benefits provided by this article. Eligibility for payment of each monthly benefit shall be determined as of the first day of each month. Death or remarriage of a widow beneficiary shall terminate her eligibility to receive benefits. Payments of each monthly benefit shall be made at the end of each monthly period.

Each widow beneficiary shall be entitled each month to monthly benefits in the amounts as follows: effective 1-1-1998, to $250; effective 1-1-1999, to $300; effective 1-1-2000, to $350; effective 1-1-2001, to $400; effective 1-1-2002, to $450.

[Amended 12-15-1997 by Ord. No. 146-1997]

Each widow claiming the benefits provided herein shall make application to the Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission on forms furnished by the Commission. Each widow applicant may request, in writing, a hearing within 90 days of the receipt by her of a notice of disallowance of her claim.

§ 99-97 Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission.

Created. There is hereby created a Commission to be known as the "Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission."

Composition. The Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission shall consist of three members. The City Treasurer, the Director of the Department of Public Safety and the President of City Council during the terms of their respective offices shall serve ex officio as members of the Commission.

Quorum. A vacancy in the Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission shall not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all the powers of the Commission, and two members of the Commission shall at all times constitute a quorum.

Annual reports.

(1)

The Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission at the end of every year shall make a report, in writing, stating in detail the work it has done in hearing and deciding cases, and otherwise, and it shall sign and report in full an opinion in every case decided by it.

(2)

A complete account of all its expenditures shall be prepared by the Commission at the end of each year.

(3)

The reports and accounts herein required shall be filed with the City Clerk not later than March 31 next following the end of each year.

Officers and employees. The Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission shall designate as its Secretary a competent employee of the City from a list of three employees recommended by the Mayor. The City Treasurer shall serve as Treasurer of the Commission. The City Solicitor or an assistant designated by him shall serve as Solicitor to the Commission. The Commission, with the consent of the appropriate department director, may use the services of any officer or employee of the City without thereby incurring a duty to pay for such services. The Commission shall elect one of its members as Chairman.

Hearings. The Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission may, by one or more of its members, prosecute any inquiry and hold hearings necessary to the performance of its functions. A member who participates in such an inquiry or hearing shall not be disqualified from subsequently participating in a decision of the Commission in the same case.

Funds and disbursement. The Firemen's and Policemen's Widows' Pension Fund Commission shall have charge of such funds and their disbursements as Council shall appropriate. The City Controller shall audit the accounts of the Commission at least once annually and shall make a report thereof and file it with the City Clerk.