§ 6-4. Widows' benefits.
(a) Amounts.
(1) Effective with the 1st day of the 1st full pay period after July 1, 1985, any surviving widow or eligible children of an employee of the Fire Department who died prior to June 7, 1963 and who was not a member of either the Employees' Retirement system or the Fire and Police Retirement System, shall receive a revised total benefit allowance calculated at the rate of not less than 15% of the current annual salary of those employees of the Fire Department in active service occupying the same position occupied by the deceased member or employee at the time of his retirement.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(b) Benefits not to be reduced.
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.
(c) Benefits subject to appropriations.
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.
(d) Widow's eligibility.
The above provisions for benefits shall apply only to a widow who was married to such fire fighter at the time of his death, if he died during his service in the Department, or was married to him before he retired from such service.
(e) Widow's death or remarriage.
In the event of the death or remarriage of such widow, the benefits here provided shall continue for the further benefit of any child or children of such fireman under the age of 18. In the case of such children, the City may make the payments to the widow if she remarries or in case of her death to a suitable guardian of said child or children, whether legally appointed or otherwise. The benefits shall cease entirely when the youngest of said children attains the age of 18.
(f) Benefits in lieu of any other.
Any benefit granted under the provisions of this section shall be in lieu of any other benefits provided by the City arising out of the service or death of the former member of the Fire Department.