Fla. Stat. 185.21
Death prior to retirement; refunds of contributions or payment of death benefits

(1)

If a police officer dies before being eligible to retire, the heirs, legatees, beneficiaries, or personal representatives of such deceased police officer shall be entitled to a refund of 100 percent, without interest, of the contributions made to the municipal police officers’ retirement trust fund by such deceased police officer or, in the event an annuity or life insurance contract has been purchased by the board on such police officer, then to the death benefits available under such life insurance or annuity contract, subject to the limitations on such death benefits set forth in s. 185.061 whichever amount is greater.

(2)

If a police officer having at least 10 years of credited service dies prior to retirement, his or her beneficiary is entitled to the benefits otherwise payable to the police officer at early or normal retirement age.

Source: Section 185.21 — Death prior to retirement; refunds of contributions or payment of death benefits, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0185.­21 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

185.01
Legislative declaration 185.02
Definitions 185.03
Municipal police officers’ retirement trust funds 185.04
Actuarial deficits not state obligations 185.05
Board of trustees 185.06
General powers and duties of board of trustees 185.07
Creation and maintenance of fund 185.08
State excise tax on casualty insurance premiums authorized 185.09
Report of premiums paid 185.10
Department of Revenue and Division of Retirement to keep accounts of deposits 185.11
Funds received by municipalities, deposit in retirement trust fund 185.12
Payment of excise tax credit on similar state excise or license tax 185.13
Failure of insurer to comply with chapter 185.015
Short title 185.16
Requirements for retirement 185.18
Disability retirement 185.19
Separation from municipal service 185.21
Death prior to retirement 185.23
Duties of Division of Retirement 185.25
Exemption from tax and execution 185.30
Depository for retirement fund 185.31
Municipalities and boards independent of other municipalities and boards and of each other 185.34
Disability in line of duty 185.35
Municipalities that have their own retirement plans for police officers 185.37
Termination of plan and distribution of fund 185.38
Transfer to another state retirement system 185.39
Applicability 185.50
Retiree health insurance subsidy 185.60
Optional participation 185.061
Use of annuity or insurance policies 185.085
Determination of local premium tax situs 185.105
Police and Firefighters’ Premium Tax Trust Fund 185.161
Optional forms of retirement income 185.162
Beneficiaries 185.185
False, misleading, or fraudulent statements made to obtain public retirement benefits prohibited 185.191
Lump-sum payment of small retirement income 185.221
Annual report to Division of Retirement 185.341
Discrimination in benefit formula prohibited

Current through Fall 2025

§ 185.21. Death prior to retirement; refunds of contributions or payment of death benefits's source at flsenate​.gov