HARRISBURG –– The Senate has unanimously approved legislation to close a nearly 100-year-old loophole in firefighter pension benefits, according to Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37), who helped lead the effort.
House Bill 797, sponsored by Rep. Jessica Benham (D-36), would update the Second Class City Firemen Relief Law to clarify eligibility rules for firefighter pensions, ensuring surviving spouses – including those who remarry or were married after retirement – will still receive benefits. Robinson sponsored the companion legislation in the Senate.
Under current law, surviving spouses of firefighters lose their pension benefits upon remarriage. A similar restriction for Pittsburgh police spouses was eliminated in 2006. This legislation will remove a longstanding penalty for Pittsburgh firefighters and their families, ending what Robinson described as inequitable treatment among first responders.
“Firefighters put their lives on the line for our communities, and their families deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity,” Robinson said. “This bill ensures surviving spouses are not penalized for moving forward with their lives and brings long-overdue parity between firefighters and police. It’s not about special treatment; it’s about doing right by the families who sacrifice so much in service to others.”
“No one should have to choose between moving forward in life and losing the benefits their loved one earned through service and sacrifice,” said Ralph Sicuro, president of the Pittsburgh Fire Fighters Union. “This antiquated rule was written into law in 1933, and it is long past time to remove it. We are grateful the General Assembly has recognized and fixed this injustice. This legislation honors not only our fallen firefighters, but also the families who stand beside them.”
The bill now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
VIDEO: Sen. Robinson’s remarks on the Senate floor in support of the legislation