(A) (1) In computing firefighter pension assessments and benefits a fully paid first-class firefighter shall be defined as a firefighter receiving the base pay of a first-class firefighter as designated by the budget ordinance plus six periods of longevity, whether or not there is in fact a first-class firefighter drawing such base pay plus six periods of longevity.
(2) The Clerk-Treasurer is, by the passage of this section, authorized to consider this definition in computing such pension assessments and benefits.
(Ord. 1028, passed 2-16-71)
(B) (1) Pursuant to the provisions of IC 36-8-7-13, the funeral benefits provided for therein are fixed at $3000.
(2) Pursuant to the provisions of IC 36-8-7-12.1, the benefits for the widow and dependent children of the deceased firefighter shall remain at the amounts set forth in the statute with the following exceptions:
(a) A qualifying widow of a deceased firefighter leaving no dependent children, shall receive an amount equal to 50% of the monthly wage received by a first-class firefighter at the time of payment of such pension.
(b) A qualifying widow of a deceased firefighter leaving one dependent child shall receive an amount equal to 30% and the dependent child shall receive an amount equal to 20% of the monthly wage received by a first-class firefighter at the time of payment of such pension.
(c) If there is no qualifying widow, the dependent children of a deceased firefighter shall receive the greater of either of the following amounts:
1. Equal shares of an amount equal to 50% of the monthly wage received by a first-class firefighter at the time of payment of such pension, or
2. An amount equal to 10% of the monthly wage received by a first-class firefighter at the time of payment of such pension, per dependent child.
(3) In the event that any time after the initial benefit distribution is determined circumstances change to the extent that a different benefit distribution is called for either due to the widow dying or remarrying, or there being more or less dependent children, a redistribution of benefits shall be made according to the then applicable provisions of division (B)(2) of this section and IC 36-8-7-12.1, based on the then current status of the widow and dependent children.
(4) The provisions of this section are subject to the statutory power of the Board of Trustees of the Firemen's Pension Fund provided in IC 36-8-7-1 et seq. and shall have no effect on the 1977 Firefighter's Pension and Disability Fund, IC 36-8-8-1 et seq.
(5) The effective date of this section is January 1, 1978, and applies to the existing pension dependents and widows as well as the dependents and widows of those employees who remain under the existing system established by IC 36-8-7-1 et seq. ('80 Code, § 9-25)
(Ord. 2195, passed 8-15-77)
