Baltimore City Code art. 22, subtit. 6 — Police Department, Special Fund | Baltimore City Code (current through Ord. 26-129 (July 17, 2026); publication of Oct. 18, 2026) — City of Baltimore

Baltimore City Code, Article 22, § 44 Widows’ benefits.

§ 44. Widows’ benefits. (a) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in § 16-26 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore City, effective with the 1st day of the 1st full pay period after July 1, 1985, any widow or eligible children entitled to receive benefits under the provisions of said § 16-26 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore City shall receive a total benefit allowance calculated at the rate of not less than 15% of the current annual salary of those members of the police force or other employees of the Police Department in active service in the highest step or flat salary, excluding longevity or merit increases, of the grade, rank or classification occupied by the deceased member or employee at the time of his retirement. Effective with the 1st day of the 1st full pay period after July 1, 1986, any widow or eligible children, as provided in this section, shall receive a total benefit allowance calculated at the rate of not less than 20% of current annual salaries; but never shall the payment be less than $4,716.60 per annum. Effective with the 1st day of the 1st full pay period after July 1, 1987, and every year thereafter, these widows and eligible children shall receive a total benefit allowance calculated at the rate of not less than 25% of the current annual salaries of members and employees in active service; but never shall the payment be less than $5,895.75 per annum. In no event shall any widow or eligible child receive a reduction in total benefit allowance on July 1, 1985, on July 1, 1986, or on July 1, 1987. The payment and continued payment of such increases in total benefit allowances as may result from the workings of this paragraph shall be subject to the annual appropriation and payment of the necessary funds by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. (b) In addition to any other provisions contained in this § 44, effective with the 1st full pay period on or after July 1, 1979, any surviving widow entitled to receive benefits on or before June 30, 1977, under the provisions of § 16-26 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore City shall be entitled to receive a 5% increase annually over and above the total annual benefit allowance such widow was receiving on June 30, 1977, not to exceed a maximum of $130, provided that the deceased member had 25 or more years of service. If the deceased member had less than 25 years of service, such widow’s maximum annual increase of $130 shall be reduced, pro rata, by each year and the decimal proportion of a year that the deceased member’s service was less than 25 years. The payment and continued payment of such increases in total benefit allowances as may result from the workings of this paragraph shall be subject to the annual appropriation and payment of the necessary funds by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. (Ord. 86-579; Ord. 85-346; Ord. 79-1055; Ord. 75-975; Ord. 74-552.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 22, § 45 Military service credit.

§ 45. Military service credit. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in § 16-29 and § 16-30 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore City, upon proper application to the Police Commissioner, credit for military service, as defined in § 4(e) of this article, shall be granted to any retiree who retired under the provisions of the Police Department Special Fund who served in the military prior to employment with the Police Department, provided the member has attained the age of 50 years and acquired at least 10 years of service, or has acquired 25 years of service prior to such application. However, a retiree shall not be awarded credit if he has received credit for a period of military service under any other retirement system for which retirement benefits have been or will be received by him; however, this exclusion does not apply to any such credit provided through Federal Old-Age and Survivor’s Insurance (Social Security), or to any benefits provided under Title 3 or Title 10, Chapter 67, §§ 1331 through 1337 of the U.S. Code. The military service credit herein provided shall not exceed 3 years. The payment and continued payment of any increases in total benefit allowances as may result from the provisions of this paragraph shall be subject to the annual appropriation of the necessary funds by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. The provisions of this section shall apply to all retirees who are receiving periodically paid benefits on the effective date of this ordinance, regardless of their date of retirement, provided that at the time of retirement the retiree met the age and service requirements stated above. The provisions of this section shall not apply to beneficiaries of the retirees of this fund. The recalculated benefit, if any is due, shall be prospective only from the effective date of this ordinance. (Ord. 87-910.)