HB403 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thomas JacksonRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

o amend Section 12-18-10, Code of Alabama 1975; to allow an unmarried justice or judge, upon retirement, to designate a beneficiary for the receipt of spousal benefits upon his or her death; and to provide for the transfer of those benefits to his or her spouse upon subsequent marriage.

Summary

HB403 would let an unmarried Alabama judge or justice who retires designate someone to receive their spousal retirement benefits, and would transfer those benefits to the retiree's spouse if they later remarry.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the Judicial Retirement Fund rules to allow an unmarried retiree to name a beneficiary for spousal benefits. If the retiree later marries someone other than the designated beneficiary, the benefits designated for that beneficiary would transfer to the new spouse. The change takes effect immediately after the bill is passed and approved.

Who It Affects

• Unmarried justices or judges who retire and gain the option to designate a beneficiary for spousal benefits.
• The designated beneficiary named by an unmarried retiree, who would receive spousal benefits after the retiree's death.
• The retiree's future spouse(s), who could become the recipient of those spousal benefits if the retiree remarries and the designation is superseded.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-18-10 to allow an unmarried justice or judge, upon retirement, to designate a beneficiary for the receipt of spousal benefits.
• If the unmarried retired justice or judge subsequently marries someone other than the designated beneficiary, the designated beneficiary's spousal benefits transfer to the new spouse.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective immediately following passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.