North Carolina 2025 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 2 R · 2 D cosponsors

HB 477 — Retirement Death Benefits Rewrite.

Last action — Signed by Gov. 6/13/2025

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 20, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Josh Stein (Democratic) on June 13, 2025.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 94% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

976 added · 1022 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of HB 477 includes a few changes related to the recodification of sections within the General Statutes of North Carolina. Notably, it has removed a paragraph that previously recodified part of G.S. 135-5(l), shifting some content to new subsections while also streamlining the bill overall. This matters because it helps clarify the structure of the statutes, making them easier to navigate for both lawmakers and the public, which can lead to better understanding and implementation of the laws.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 2 HOUSE BILL 477 Committee Substitute Favorable 4/9/25 Short Title:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 477 Short Title:
Representatives Carson Smith and Wheatley (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
March 24, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO RECODIFY AND STANDARDIZE THE LAWS RELATING TO THE DEATH BENEFIT PLAN, INCLUDING BY MAKING TECHNICAL, CLARIFYING, AND CONFORMING CHANGES, UNDER THE TEACHERS' AND STATE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE CONSOLIDATED JUDICIAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AND THE LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE SURVIVOR'S ALTERNATE BENEFIT UNDER THOSE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, AND TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFITS.
Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House March 24, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO RECODIFY AND STANDARDIZE THE LAWS RELATING TO THE DEATH BENEFIT PLAN, INCLUDING BY MAKING TECHNICAL, CLARIFYING, AND CONFORMING CHANGES, UNDER THE TEACHERS' AND STATE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE CONSOLIDATED JUDICIAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AND THE LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE SURVIVOR'S ALTERNATE BENEFIT UNDER THOSE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, AND TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFITS.
SECTION 1.(d) The third sentence of G.S.
*H477-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 1.(d) The third sentence of G.S.
*H477-v-2* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 1.(e) The fourth, fifth, and sixth sentences of G.S.
SECTION 1.(e) The fourth, fifth, and sixth sentences of G.S.
SECTION 2.(b) The remainder of G.S.
Page 2 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(b) The remainder of G.S.
Page 2 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.
SECTION 3.
(b) No Commingling of Funds.
(b) No Comingling of Funds.
In no event, including dissolution, will the shall any assets of the trust fund Benefit Trust be distributed to any entity that is not a state, a political subdivision of a state, or another entity the income of which is excludable from its gross income by application of section 115(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
In no event, including dissolution, will the shall any assets of the trust fund Benefit Trust be distributed to any entity that is not a state, a political subdivision of a state, or another entity the income of which is excludable from its gross income by application of House Bill 477-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 section 115(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) An employer or nonemployer making contributions to the Trust, are not subject to the claims of any creditors of the Trust, trustees, and administrators, and are not subject to the claims of creditors of members, participants, and beneficiaries.Benefit Trust.
(1) An employer or nonemployer making contributions to the Trust, are not subject to the claims of any creditors of the Trust, trustees, and administrators, and are not subject to the claims of creditors of members, participants, and beneficiaries.Benefit Trust.
– If a member eligible for benefits under this section dies while in service, then, upon receipt of proof, proof of the death that is satisfactory to the Board of Trustees in their capacity as trustees under the Group Life Insurance Plan, of the death, in service, of a member who had completed at least one full calendar year of membership in the Retirement System, there Trustees, a lump sum death benefit amount shall be paid to such person as the member shall have nominated by electronic submission in a form approved by the Board of Trustees or by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees, if such person is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the member's legal representatives, a death benefit.paid.
– If a member eligible for benefits under this section dies while in service, then, upon receipt of proof, proof of the death that is satisfactory to the Board of Trustees in their capacity as trustees under the Group Life Insurance Plan, of the death, in service, of a member who had completed at least one full calendar year of membership in the Retirement System, there Trustees, a lump sum death benefit amount shall be paid to such person as the member shall have nominated by electronic submission in a form approved by the Board of Trustees or by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Page 4 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Trustees, if such person is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the member's legal representatives, a death benefit.paid.
Page 4 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (c) Such death Death Benefit Amount.
(c) Such death Death Benefit Amount.
The eligible for the death benefit under G.S.
The eligible for the death benefit under House Bill 477-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 G.S.
The last day of actual service shall be the most recent legislative day of the applicable General Assembly session or the last House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 day the member performed work as a teacher or State employee, whichever is later.
The last day of actual service shall be the most recent legislative day of the applicable General Assembly session or the last day the member performed work as a teacher or State employee, whichever is later.
(c) This Death Benefit Amount.
Page 6 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (c) This Death Benefit Amount.
Page 6 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) If the death occurred on or after the first day of the twenty-fifth month of coverage under this section, the amount payable is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) upon the completion of 24 months of contributions required under this subsection.
(1) If the death occurred on or after the first day of the twenty-fifth month of coverage under this section, the amount payable is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) upon the completion of 24 months of contributions required under this subsection.
(b) Benefits Payable.
House Bill 477-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b) Benefits Payable.
If no beneficiaries are House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 designated or living at the time of the member's death, then the benefit shall be paid to the member's legal representative.
If no beneficiaries are designated or living at the time of the member's death, then the benefit shall be paid to the member's legal representative.
– Only for the purpose of determining eligibility for the death benefit benefits provided for in subsection (l) of this section, under this Article, membership service standing to the credit of (i) a member of the Legislative Retirement System or the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System or (ii) a retired member of the Legislative Retirement System orthe ConsolidatedJudicial RetirementSystem whose retirement benefit was suspended upon entrance into membership in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System shall be added to the membership service standing to the credit of a member of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System.
– Only for the purpose of determining eligibility for the death benefit benefits provided for in subsection (l) of this section, under this Article, membership service standing to the credit of (i) a member of the Legislative Retirement System or the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System or (ii) a retired member of the Legislative Retirement System orthe ConsolidatedJudicial RetirementSystem whoseretirement benefit was suspended upon entrance into membership in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System shall be added to the membership service standing to the credit of a member of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System.
SECTION 4.(d1) G.S.
Page 8 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 4.(d1) G.S.
Page 8 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 4.(e) The first sentence of the first paragraph of G.S.
SECTION 4.(e) The first sentence of the first paragraph of G.S.
(a) DeathBenefitPlan.–ThereisherebycreatedaGroupLifeInsurancePlan(hereinafter called the "Plan") which is established as the Local Governmental Death Benefit Plan, a group life insurance plan that is an employee welfare benefit plan that is separate and apart from the House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Retirement System and under which the members of the Retirement System shall participate and be eligible for group life insurance benefits.System.
(a) DeathBenefitPlan.–ThereisherebycreatedaGroupLifeInsurancePlan(hereinafter called the "Plan") which is established as the Local Governmental Death Benefit Plan, a group life insurance plan that is an employee welfare benefit plan that is separate and apart from the House Bill 477-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Retirement System and under which the members of the Retirement System shall participate and be eligible for group life insurance benefits.System.
– If a member eligible for benefits under this section dies while in service, then, upon receipt of proof, proof of the death that is satisfactory to the Board of Trustees in their capacity as trustees under the Group Life Insurance Plan, of the death, in service, of a member who had completed at least one full calendar year of membership in the Retirement System, there Trustees, a lump sum death benefit amount shall be paid to such person as the member shall have nominated by electronic submission in a form approved by the Board of Trustees or by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Page 10 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Trustees, if such person is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the member's legal representatives, a death benefit.paid.
– If a member eligible for benefits under this section dies while in service, then, upon receipt of proof, proof of the death that is satisfactory to the Board of Trustees in their capacity as trustees under the Group Life Insurance Plan, of the death, in service, of a member who had completed at least one full calendar year of membership in the Retirement System, there Trustees, a lump sum death benefit amount shall be paid to such person as the member shall have nominated by electronic submission in a form approved by the Board of Trustees or by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Page 10 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Trustees, if such person is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the member's legal representatives, a death benefit.paid.
The House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 eligible for the death benefit under G.S.
The House Bill 477-First Edition Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 eligible for the death benefit under G.S.
(2) If the death occurred before the completion of 24 months of contributions required under this subsection, the deceased retired member's designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, or legal representative if not survived by a designated beneficiary, shall be paid first day of the twenty-fifth month of coverage under this section, then the amount payable is the sum of the retired member's contributions required by this subsection premium payments made Page 12 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 in accordance with this section plus interest in an amount to be determined by the Board of Trustees.
(2) If the death occurred before the completion of 24 months of contributions required under this subsection, the deceased retired member's designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, or legal representative if not survived by a designated beneficiary, shall be paid first day of the twenty-fifth month of coverage under this section, then the amount payable is the sum of the retired member's contributions required by this subsection premium payments made Page 12 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 in accordance with this section plus interest in an amount to be determined by the Board of Trustees.
– If a member dies while in service, then, upon receipt of proof, proof of the death that is satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, of the death of a member in service, there shall be paid in a lump sum death benefit shall be paid to such person as the beneficiary or beneficiaries that the member shall have nominated designated by electronic submission in a form approved by the Board of Trustees or by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees, if such person is Trustees.
– If a member who has completed at least one year of membership service dies while in service, then, upon receipt of proof, proof of the death that is satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, of the death of a member in service, there shall be paid in a lump sum death benefit shall be paid to such person as the beneficiary or beneficiaries that the member shall have nominated designated by electronic submission in a form approved by the Board of Trustees or by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees, if such person is Trustees.
provided, however, that if the member has attained his or her fiftieth birthday with at least five years of membership service at the member's date of death, and ifthedesignated recipient of thedeath benefits is the compensation, unless a member's surviving spouse who survives him or her, and if the spouse so elects, is eligible for and elects to receive a survivor's alternate benefit under subsection (a1) of this section.
provided, however, that if thememberhas attained his or her fiftieth birthdaywith at least five years of membership service at the member's date of death, and if the designated recipient of the death benefits is the compensation, unless a member's surviving spouse who survives him or her, and if the spouse so elects, is eligible for and elects to receive a survivor's alternate benefit under subsection (a1) of this section.
(a1) Survivor's Alternate Benefit.
House Bill 477-First Edition Page 13 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (a1) Survivor's Alternate Benefit.
– The surviving spouse of a member who was age 50 or older with at least five years of membership service at the time of death may elect a survivor's House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 13 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 alternate benefit.
– The surviving spouse of a member who was age 50 or older with at least five years of membership service at the time of death may elect a survivor's alternate benefit.
The monthlypayments shall commence on the first day of the calendar month next following the date of death of the former member and shall be continued on the first day of each month thereafter until the remarriage or death of the spouse.
The monthlypayments shall commence on the first day of the calendar month next following the date of death of the former member and shall be Page 14 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 continued on the first day of each month thereafter until the remarriage or death of the spouse.
The amount of any such the retirement allowance under this subsection shall be equal to one half Page 14 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 of the allowance that was payable to the former member for the month immediately prior to his the member's month of death, or which that would have been so payable had an optional mode of payment not been elected under the provisions of G.S.
The amount of any such the retirement allowance under this subsection shall be equal to one half of the allowance that was payable to the former member for the month immediately prior to his the member's month of death, or which that would have been so payable had an optional mode of payment not been elected under the provisions of G.S.
135-61, reduced by two percent (2%) thereof for each full year, if any, by which the age of the former member at date of death exceeds that of his the spouse.
135-61, reduced by two percent (2%) thereof for each full year, if any, bywhich the age of the former member at date of death exceeds that of his the spouse.
135-58(d), then there shall be paid to the former judge's surviving spouse, if any, an annual retirement allowance payable monthly, which monthly.
135-58(d), then there shall be paid to the House Bill 477-First Edition Page 15 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 former judge's surviving spouse, if any, an annual retirement allowance payable monthly, which monthly.
The monthly payments shall commence on the first day of the calendar month next House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 15 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 following the date of death of the former judge and shall be continued on the first day of each month thereafter until the remarriage or death of the spouse.
The monthly payments shall commence on the first day of the calendar month next following the date of death of the former judge and shall be continued on the first day of each month thereafter until the remarriage or death of the spouse.
If the death occurred on or after the first day of the twenty-fifth month of coverage under this subsection, then the amount payable is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) upon the completion of 24 months of contributions required under this subsection.
If the death occurred on or after the first day of the twenty-fifth month of coverage under this subsection, then the amount payable is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) upon the completion of 24 months of Page 16 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 contributions required under this subsection.
Page 16 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 b.
b.
If no beneficiaryorbeneficiariesaredesignatedorarelivingatthetimeoftheretiree'sdeath, otherwise then the lump sum death benefit shall be paid to the retiree's legal representatives, a representative.
If no beneficiaryorbeneficiariesaredesignatedorarelivingatthetimeoftheretiree'sdeath,otherwise then the lump sum death benefit shall be paid to the retiree's legal representatives, a representative.
120-4.26 and such retirement allowance to the survivor shall terminate terminates upon the death of the survivor before the total of the retirement allowances paid to the retiree and the designated survivor combined equals the amount of the accumulated contributions of the retiree at the date of retirement, then the excess, if any, excess of such those accumulated contributions over the total of the retirement allowances paid to the retiree and the survivor combined shall be paid in a lump sum to such person or persons as the beneficiary that the retiree shall have nominated designated by electronic submission in a form approved by the Board of Trustees or by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees, if such person or persons are Trustees.
120-4.26 and such retirement allowance to the survivor shall terminate terminates upon the death of the survivor before the total of the retirement allowances paid to the retiree and the designated survivor combined equals the amount of the accumulated contributions of the retiree at the date of retirement, then the excess, if any, excess of such those accumulated contributions over the total of the retirement allowances paid to the retiree and the survivor combined shall be paid in a lump sum to such person or persons as the beneficiary that the retiree shall have nominated designated by electronic submission in a form approved by the Board of Trustees or by written designation House Bill 477-First Edition Page 17 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees, if such person or persons are Trustees.
If no beneficiary is designated or living at the time such payment falls due, otherwise the lump House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 17 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 sum payment becomes due under this subsection, then the payment shall be made to the retiree's legal representative." SECTION 8.(d) G.S.
If no beneficiary is designated or living at the time such payment falls due, otherwise the lump sum payment becomes due under this subsection, then the payment shall be made to the retiree's legal representative." SECTION 8.(d) G.S.
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If the participantdoes notreturnimmediatelyafterthatservicetoemploymentwithacovered employer in this Retirement System, then the participant shall be deemed "in service" until the date on which the participant was first eligible to be separated or released from his or her involuntary military service.
If the participantdoes notreturnimmediatelyafterthatservicetoemploymentwitha coveredemployer in this Retirement System, then the participant shall be deemed "in service" until the date on which the participant was first eligible to be separated or released from his or her involuntary military service.
This death benefit shall be a lump-sum payment in the amount of six thousand dollars ($6,000) upon the completion of 24 months of contributions required under this subsection.
This death benefit shall be a lump-sum payment in the amount of six thousand dollars ($6,000) upon the completion of 24 months of contributions required under this Page 18 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 subsection.
Should death occur before the completion of 24 months of contributions required under this subsection, the deceased retired member's surviving spouse or legal representative if Page 18 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 not survived by a spouse shall be paid the sum of the retired member's contributions required by this subsection plus interest to be determined by the Board of Trustees.
Should death occur before the completion of 24 months of contributions required under this subsection, the deceased retired member's surviving spouse or legal representative if not survived by a spouse shall be paid the sum of the retired member's contributions required by this subsection plus interest to be determined by the Board of Trustees.
Upon receipt of proof, satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, of the death of a retired member of the Retirement System or Retirement Fund on or after July 1, 2007, but before January 1, 2015, there shall be paid a death benefit to the surviving spouse of a deceased retired member, or to the deceased retired member's legal representative if not survived bya spouse;
Upon receipt of proof, satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, of the death of a retired member of the Retirement System or Retirement Fund on or after July 1, 2007, but before January 1, 2015, there shall be paid a death benefit to the surviving spouse of a deceased retired member, or to the deceased retired member's legal representative if not survived by a spouse;
(3) If a retired member who has elected to receive a fully contributory death benefit under this subsection dies, then, upon receipt of proof of the death that is satisfactoryto the Board of Trustees, a lump sum death benefit amount shall be paid a death benefit to the person or persons beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the member or, if not survived by a designated beneficiary, member.
(3) If a retired member who has elected to receive a fully contributory death benefit under this subsection dies, then, upon receipt of proof of the death that is satisfactoryto the Board of Trustees, a lump sum death benefit amount shall be paid a death benefit to the person or persons beneficiary or beneficiaries House Bill 477-First Edition Page 19 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 designated by the member or, if not survived by a designated beneficiary, member.
If no beneficiary is designated or living, then the death benefit shall House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 19 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 be paid to the deceased retired member's legal representative;
If no beneficiary is designated or living, then the death benefit shall be paid to the deceased retired member's legal representative;
The assets of the Benefit Trust arededicatedto providingbenefits tomembersand beneficiaries in accordance with the Plan's benefit terms.
The assets of the Benefit Trust arededicatedto providingbenefits tomembersandbeneficiaries in accordance with the Plan's benefit terms.
… For the purpose of this benefit, a member is considered to be in service at the date of his the member's death if his the death occurs within 180 days from the last day of his the member's Page 20 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 actual service.
… Page 20 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 For the purpose of this benefit, a member is considered to be in service at the date of his the member's death if his the death occurs within 180 days from the last day of his the member's actual service.
– Upon the death of amember in service, the beneficiary designated to receive a return of accumulated contributions shall have the right to elect to receive in lieu thereof the reduced retirement allowance provided by Option two of subsection (g) above of this section computed by assuming that the member had retired on the first day of the month followingthedateofthemember's death, provided thatall fourof thefollowingconditions apply:
– Upon the death of amember in service, the beneficiary designated to receive a return of accumulated contributions shall have the right to elect to receive in lieu thereof the reduced retirement allowance provided by Option two of subsection (g) above of this section computed by assuming that the member had retired on the first day of the month followingthedateofthemember's death, provided thatall fourofthefollowingconditions apply:
"(g) Collection of Contributions.
House Bill 477-First Edition Page 21 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "(g) Collection of Contributions.
House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 21 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 …." SECTION 12.(a) G.S.
…." SECTION 12.(a) G.S.
(4) The member had not commenced to receive a retirement allowance as provided under this Chapter.
Page 22 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) The member had not commenced to receive a retirement allowance as provided under this Chapter.
…." Page 22 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 13.(c) Subsection (b) of this section is effective July 1, 2025, and applies to member deaths occurring on or after that date.
…." SECTION 13.(c) Subsection (b) of this section is effective July 1, 2025, and applies to member deaths occurring on or after that date.
… (2) The amount of the survivor's alternate benefit retirement allowance shall be equal to one half of the amount of the retirement allowance to which the memberwouldhavebeenentitledhadthememberretiredundertheprovisions of G.S.
135-57(a) on the first day of the calendar month coinciding with or next following the member's date of death, reduced by two percent (2%) thereof for each full year, if any, by which the age of the member at his or her date of death exceeds that of the member's spouse.spouse, notwithstanding any age or service requirements.
In no case shall the retirement allowance House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 23 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 under this subdivision be less than the actuarial equivalent of the return of accumulated contributions, computedusingthe beneficiary's age as ofthe first day of the month following the date of the member's death.
(a) The designated beneficiary of If a member who dies in service before retirement but after age 60 and after completing five years of creditable service or after completing 12 years of creditable service service, then the principal beneficiary designated by that member to receive a return of accumulated contributions under G.S.
(a) The designated beneficiary of If a member who dies in service before retirement but after age 60 and after completing five years of creditable service or after completing 12 years of creditable service service, then the principal beneficiary designated by that member to receive a House Bill 477-First Edition Page 23 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 return of accumulated contributions under G.S.
In no case shall the retirement allowance under this subsection be less than the actuarial equivalent of the return of accumulated contributions, computed using the beneficiary's age as of the first day of the month following the date of the member's death.
– The Board of Trustees may make additional funding available to the Department of State Treasurer to ensure the timely payment of death benefits awarded by the Industrial Commission under the Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act, Article 12A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, by depositing a Page 24 House Bill 477-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 percentage of the State's employer contribution rate established for the benefits provided under G.S.
– The Board of Trustees may make additional funding available to the Department of State Treasurer to ensure the timely payment of death benefits awarded by the Industrial Commission under the Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act, Article 12A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, by depositing a percentage of the State's employer contribution rate established for the benefits provided under G.S.
PART VIII.
Page 24 House Bill 477-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 PART VIII.
House Bill 477-Second Edition Page 25
House Bill 477-First Edition Page 25
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Action History

  1. Signed by Gov. 6/13/2025

  2. Ch. SL 2025-11

  3. Pres. To Gov. 6/5/2025

  4. Ratified

  5. Concurred In S Com Sub

  6. Ordered Enrolled

  7. Withdrawn From Com

  8. Placed On Cal For 06/03/2025

  9. Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  10. Regular Message Sent To House

  11. Regular Message Received For Concurrence in S Com Sub

  12. Passed 2nd Reading

  13. Passed 3rd Reading

  14. Reptd Fav

  15. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  16. Com Substitute Adopted

  17. Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  18. Withdrawn From Com

  19. Re-ref to Pensions and Retirement and Aging. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

  20. Regular Message Sent To Senate

  21. Regular Message Received From House

  22. Passed 1st Reading

  23. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  24. Amend Adopted A1

  25. Passed 2nd Reading

  26. Passed 3rd Reading

  27. Ordered Engrossed

  28. Reptd Fav

  29. Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

  30. Placed On Cal For 04/29/2025

  31. Reptd Fav Com Sub 2

  32. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  33. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  34. Re-ref Com On Judiciary 1

  35. Passed 1st Reading

  36. Ref to the Com on Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  37. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 175 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (175)

175 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Second Reading

Passed 40 Yea · 0 Nay · 10 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 15005
Republican 25005
Total 400010
% of votes cast 80%0%0%20%
How each member voted (50)
Member Party Vote
Caleb Theodros Democratic Yea
Dan Blue Democratic Yea
DeAndrea Salvador Democratic Not Voting
Gale Adcock Democratic Yea
Gladys A. Robinson Democratic Yea
Graig Meyer Democratic Not Voting
Jay J. Chaudhuri Democratic Not Voting
Joyce Waddell Democratic Yea
Julie Mayfield Democratic Yea
Kandie D. Smith Democratic Not Voting
Lisa Grafstein Democratic Yea
Michael Garrett Democratic Not Voting
Mujtaba A. Mohammed Democratic Yea
Natalie S. Murdock Democratic Yea
Paul A. Lowe, Jr. Democratic Yea
Sophia Chitlik Democratic Yea
Sydney Batch Democratic Yea
Terence Everitt Democratic Yea
Val Applewhite Democratic Yea
Woodson Bradley Democratic Yea
Amy S. Galey Republican Yea
Benton G. Sawrey Republican Yea
Bill Rabon Republican Not Voting
Bob Brinson Republican Yea
Bobby Hanig Republican Yea
Brad Overcash Republican Yea
Brent Jackson Republican Yea
Carl Ford Republican Yea
Chris Measmer Republican Yea
Dana Jones Republican Not Voting
Danny Earl Britt, Jr. Republican Not Voting
David W. Craven, Jr. Republican Yea
Eddie D. Settle Republican Yea
Jim Burgin Republican Yea
Kevin Corbin Republican Yea
Lisa S. Barnes Republican Not Voting
Mark Hollo Republican Yea
Michael A. Lazzara Republican Yea
Michael V. Lee Republican Yea
Norman W. Sanderson Republican Yea
Paul Newton Republican Yea
Phil Berger Republican Yea
Ralph Hise Republican Yea
Steve Jarvis Republican Yea
Timothy D. Moffitt Republican Not Voting
Todd Johnson Republican Yea
Tom McInnis Republican Yea
Vickie Sawyer Republican Yea
W. Ted Alexander Republican Yea
Warren Daniel Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Second Reading

Passed 118 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 33001
Republican 57000
Unaffiliated 26001
U 2000
Total 118002
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (120)
Member Party Vote
Autry — Yea
Clemmons — Yea
Gill — Yea
Harris — Yea
Rudow — Yea
CharlesSmith — Yea
Staton-Williams — Yea
vonHaefen — Yea
Wray — Yea
Bradford — Yea
Cleveland — Yea
Crutchfield — Yea
Elmore — Yea
Faircloth — Yea
Fontenot — Yea
Hardister — Yea
Lowery — Yea
Mills — Yea
Moore — Yea
Reeder — Yea
Saine — Yea
Sasser — Yea
CarsonSmith — Yea
Sossamon — Yea
Lucas — Not Voting
F. Jackson — Yea
K. Baker — Yea
Abe Jones Democratic Yea
Allen Buansi Democratic Yea
Allison A. Dahle Democratic Yea
Amber M. Baker Democratic Yea
Amos L. Quick, III Democratic Yea
B. Ray Jeffers Democratic Yea
Becky Carney Democratic Yea
Brandon Lofton Democratic Yea
Carolyn G. Logan Democratic Yea
Cecil Brockman Democratic Yea
Cynthia Ball Democratic Yea
Deb Butler Democratic Yea
Eric Ager Democratic Yea
Garland E. Pierce Democratic Yea
Gloristine Brown Democratic Yea
James Roberson Democratic Yea
Joe John Democratic Yea
Kanika Brown Democratic Yea
Laura Budd Democratic Yea
Lindsey Prather Democratic Yea
Marcia Morey Democratic Yea
Maria Cervania Democratic Yea
Mary Belk Democratic Yea
Pricey Harrison Democratic Yea
Renée A. Price Democratic Yea
Robert T. Reives, II Democratic Yea
Sarah Crawford Democratic Yea
Shelly Willingham Democratic Yea
Terence Everitt Democratic Yea
Terry M. Brown Jr. Democratic Yea
Tim Longest Democratic Yea
Vernetta Alston Democratic Yea
Ya Liu Democratic Yea
Zack Hawkins Democratic Not Voting
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. Republican Yea
Allen Chesser Republican Yea
Ben T. Moss, Jr. Republican Yea
Bill Ward Republican Yea
Brenden H. Jones Republican Yea
Brian Biggs Republican Yea
Celeste C. Cairns Republican Yea
Charles W. Miller Republican Yea
Chris Humphrey Republican Yea
David Willis Republican Yea
Dean Arp Republican Yea
Dennis Riddell Republican Yea
Destin Hall Republican Yea
Diane Wheatley Republican Yea
Donna McDowell White Republican Yea
Donnie Loftis Republican Yea
Donny Lambeth Republican Yea
Dudley Greene Republican Yea
Edward C. Goodwin Republican Yea
Erin Paré Republican Yea
Frank Iler Republican Yea
Harry Warren Republican Yea
Howard Penny, Jr. Republican Yea
Hugh Blackwell Republican Yea
Jake Johnson Republican Yea
Jay Adams Republican Yea
Jeff Zenger Republican Yea
Jeffrey C. McNeely Republican Yea
Jennifer Balkcom Republican Yea
Jimmy Dixon Republican Yea
John A. Torbett Republican Yea
John R. Bell, IV Republican Yea
John Sauls Republican Yea
Joseph Pike Republican Yea
Julia C. Howard Republican Yea
Karl E. Gillespie Republican Yea
Keith Kidwell Republican Yea
Kelly E. Hastings Republican Yea
Kyle Hall Republican Yea
Larry C. Strickland Republican Yea
Larry W. Potts Republican Yea
Mark Brody Republican Yea
Mark Pless Republican Yea
Matthew Winslow Republican Yea
Mike Clampitt Republican Yea
Mitchell S. Setzer Republican Yea
Neal Jackson Republican Yea
Phil Shepard Republican Yea
Ray Pickett Republican Yea
Sam Watford Republican Yea
Sarah Stevens Republican Yea
Stephen M. Ross Republican Yea
Steve Tyson Republican Yea
Ted Davis, Jr. Republican Yea
Tricia Ann Cotham Republican Yea
W. Ted Alexander Republican Yea
William D. Brisson Republican Yea
Carla D. Cunningham U Yea
Nasif Majeed U Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

finance labor health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 477?
HB 477 is sponsored by Shelly Willingham (Democratic), Garland E. Pierce (Democratic), Diane Wheatley (Republican), and Carson Smith (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 477?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 20, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 477?
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