Florida Florida Statutes

§ 175.201 — Death prior to retirement; refunds of contributions; death benefits

FS § 175.201Ch. 175

Statute text

For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:(1) If a firefighter dies before being eligible to retire, the heirs, legatees, beneficiaries, or personal representatives of such deceased firefighter shall be entitled to a refund of 100 percent, without interest, of the contributions made to the firefighters' pension trust fund by such deceased firefighter or, in the event an annuity or life insurance contract has been purchased by the board of trustees on such firefighter, then to the death benefits available under such life insurance or annuity cont="preserve" class="CatchlineText">False, misleading, or fraudulent statements made to obtain public retirement benefits prohibited; penalty.—(1) It is unlawful for a person to willfully and knowingly make, or cause to be made, or to assist, conspire with, or urge another to make, or cause to be made, any false, fraudulent, or misleading oral or written statement or withhold or conceal material information to obtain any benefit available under a retirement plan receiving funding under this chapter. (2)(a) A person who violates subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b)In addition to any applicable criminal penalty, upon conviction for a violation described in subsection (1), a participant or beneficiary of a pension plan receiving funding under this chapter may, in the discretion of the board of trustees, be required to forfeit the right to receive any or all benefits to which the person would otherwise be entitled under this chapter. For purposes of this paragraph, “conviction” means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld.

Legislative history

s. 20, ch. 99-1.