Legacy Planning Guide
Legacy Planning for Police Officers and Firefighters
We know this isn't the most comfortable topic to sit down with. But if you've taken the time to open this page, you're already ahead of most people. First responders accept physical risk as part of their service. That makes legacy planning not just prudent — but urgent. Line-of-duty death benefits, pension survivor options, and union benefits create a complex picture your family needs to understand.
Why First Responders face unique challenges
Every profession has its own blind spots when it comes to legacy planning. Here are the ones that come up most often for first responders — and the ones that tend to catch people off guard.
Line-of-duty death benefits from federal, state, and local sources may stack — or conflict
Public safety pension survivor benefit elections are irrevocable
Heart and lung presumption laws affect disability and death benefit eligibility
PTSD and mental health considerations may affect disability benefit eligibility
Dangerous occupation life insurance riders and exclusions
Documents every first responder should have
You don't need to have everything perfect from day one — but having these documents in place means your family won't be left guessing when it matters most.
- 1
Public Safety Officers' Benefit Act (PSOB) application instructions for family
- 2
Pension survivor benefit election with explanation of income implications
- 3
Union life insurance beneficiary designation — updated recently
- 4
Line-of-duty injury documentation for potential future disability claims
- 5
Letter to your children about why you chose to serve and what it meant to you
Mistakes that cost families the most
These aren't meant to scare you — they're meant to protect you. Each one is a real scenario we've seen play out, and each one is completely avoidable.
PSOB benefit not claimed — federal line-of-duty death benefit left on the table
Pension survivor election chosen for maximum current income — spouse gets nothing at death
Life insurance not adjusted for dangerous occupation exclusions
No letter to children about the sacrifice and service that defined your career
Union and employer life insurance beneficiary designations not coordinated
Your first 3 steps as a first responder
Don't know where to start? These are the three most impactful moves for first responders who are just beginning to think about legacy planning.
Review your pension survivor benefit election and document it clearly for your family
Calculate your total life insurance coverage and fill gaps with private insurance
Create a document listing all line-of-duty death benefit contacts for your family
Frequently asked questions for first responders
What survivor benefits do first responders' families receive?
Police and firefighters typically have access to line-of-duty death benefits, pension survivor benefits, and PSOB (Public Safety Officers' Benefits) Act payments of approximately $400,000 for line-of-duty deaths. Benefits vary by agency and state.
Is my pension survivor benefit set up correctly?
Most pension plans require a specific election for survivor benefits, often made at retirement. Review your election with HR and document it clearly for your family — many surviving spouses discover their officer chose the wrong option too late.
What happens to my pension if I die before retirement?
Most agencies provide either a lump sum, continued contributions to survivors, or an early survivor annuity. Check with your pension administrator for the specific terms of your plan and document the contacts for your family.
Should first responders have life insurance beyond agency coverage?
Yes — agency-provided life insurance (often 1–2x salary) is rarely sufficient for families with dependents. Financial planners generally recommend 10–12x your annual income in total life insurance coverage.
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Where to start on My Loved Ones
Our AI-guided tools walk you through each document step by step — no legal jargon, no blank pages staring back at you. Here's what we recommend for first responders:
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Important disclaimer
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. It was created with the assistance of AI and may contain inaccuracies. Laws and regulations change frequently — always consult a qualified attorney or financial advisor before making estate planning decisions.