§ 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 1^st day of the 1^st 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 1^st day of the 1^st 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 1^st day of the 1^st 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 1^st 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.