Assembly passes AB 1844 to let JRS 2 judges name non-spouse survivor beneficiaries

Assemblymember Pacheco presented and the Assembly approved AB 1844, a bill amending the Judges' Retirement System II (JRS 2) to allow judges to designate a non-spouse beneficiary to receive survivor retirement benefits.

“AB 18 44 updates the Judge's Retirement System 2 or JRS 2 to allow judges to designate a non spouse beneficiary to receive survivor retirement benefits, and to ensure that all vested judges can access survivor benefit protections,” Assemblymember Pacheco said on the floor, explaining that under current law JRS 2 generally limits designation to a spouse or registered domestic partner and that unmarried judges, long-term partners and dependents could not be named to receive continuing pension payments.

The Assembly took the roll and the measure passed on a recorded vote: Aye 60, No 0. The clerk announced the measure passed and the item was recorded as passed and retained on the file.

Why it matters: supporters said the change aligns JRS 2 with other public retirement systems in California and fills a gap that left some judges and their families without survivor-benefit options. Opponents did not speak on the floor during the brief consideration.

The bill will be transmitted according to the legislature’s process for enrolled measures.