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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 14Art. 2§ 21554 Survivor Benefits After Remarriage

§ 21554 Survivor Benefits After Remarriage

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 21554 Survivor Benefits After Remarriage

Key Takeaways

  • •If a cop or firefighter dies while working, their spouse gets monthly money to help them.
  • •If the spouse remarries, the money stops. But if they apply later, the money can start again.
  • •The money starts again from the month they apply, not from when it stopped.
  • •The government won’t look for the spouse to tell them about this rule—they have to ask for the money themselves.

Example

A firefighter dies while saving people from a fire. His wife gets monthly money to help pay bills. She remarries, so the money stops. Years later, she hears about this law and applies to get the money again.

The money will start again the month she applies, but she won’t get the money for the years it was stopped. She has to ask for it—the government won’t call her.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21554 Survivor Benefits After Remarriage

(a) The monthly allowance pursuant to Section 21541 and Article 3 (commencing with Section 21570), paid to the surviving spouse of any deceased patrol, state safety, or state peace officer/firefighter member, who died in the line of duty shall be restored if that allowance has been discontinued upon the spouse’s remarriage. The allowance shall be resumed on the effective date of this section, or the first of the month, following receipt by the board of a written application from the spouse for resumption of the allowance, whichever is later. (b) The amount of the benefits due shall be calculated as though the allowance had never been discontinued because of remarriage, and shall not be payable for the period between the date of discontinuance and the effective date of resumption. (c) The board has no duty to identify, locate, or notify a spouse who previously had his or her allowance discontinued because of a remarriage. (d) Any surviving spouse shall be entitled to restoration of terminated benefits upon application to the system if he or she previously qualified for special death benefits because his or her spouse died in the line of duty. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 719, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

monthly allowancesurviving spousedece

Related Statutes

  • § 21547 Surviving Spouse Death Benefit
  • § 21547.7 Firefighter Death Benefit Allowance
  • § 21552 Survivor Benefits After Remarriage
  • § 21553 Survivor Benefits After Remarriage
  • § 21542 Special Death Benefit Payment

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 21554.
View Official Source