Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 3
posted Jan 4, 2020 7:06:34 PM

Public Safety Officer's widow's health insurance premiums?

What if my husband was a public safety officer.  He died two years ago.  Now, as his widow, I get a 1099-R from his pension with code 4 "Death Benefit" as the distribution code in box 7.  If I still have health insurance taken out of the pension, am I eligible for the up-to-$3000 exclusion, even though I am NOT a public safety officer?  Thank you!

0 5 2723
5 Replies
Level 15
Jan 4, 2020 9:08:45 PM

No, that is a benefit of a retired public safety officer. 

Level 3
Jan 4, 2020 9:13:08 PM

Thanks for your prompt reply!  

New Member
Feb 3, 2021 9:51:05 AM

What if my husband was living for the first quarter of the year?

Expert Alumni
Feb 3, 2021 10:11:45 AM

You can deduct those premiums (up to $3000) from your joint 2020 income if:

  • your husband was alive for the first quarter of 2020,
  • was drawing a public safety officer pension and; 
  • used the money for health or long-term care insurance premiums

How to claim retired Public Safety Officer exemption

 

... and, our condolences for the loss of your husband.

 

 

 

 

New Member
Feb 3, 2021 10:13:01 AM

Thank you for your prompt reply.