HB 1120

Brief Description: Addressing volunteer fire department and law enforcement chaplains membership in the volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' retirement system.

Sponsors: Representatives Van De Wege, Ryu, Appleton, Roberts, Green, Fitzgibbon, Morrell and Freeman.

Hearing Date: 2/18/13

Staff: David Pringle (786-7310).

Background:

The Volunteer Fire Fighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pension System (VFFRORPS) provides death, disability, medical, and retirement benefits to volunteer firefighters, reserve officers, and emergency medical workers in cities, towns, and fire protection districts. The VFFRORPS is funded by member and employer contributions and 40 percent of the fire insurance premium tax.

Employers are required to participate in the death, disability, and medical benefit plans (collectively referred to as the "relief benefits") offered by the VFFRORPS, but participation in the pension component is optional and participants must enroll to be covered by the plan. Around 18,000 members are covered by the death, disability, and medical benefits, and 12,000 members are covered by the pension benefits.

Relief benefits are available to members covered under the relief provisions of the Volunteer Firefighters’ and Reserve Officers’ Relief and Pension Act who are injured in the performance of duty. Eligibility for retirement pension benefits from the VFFRORPS begins after 10 years of service as a member. The amount of the pension increases for each five years of service beyond the minimum 10 years and for payments made into the pension portion of the VFFRORPS. The maximum pension is vested with 25 years of service and 25 payments into the pension fund. Full retirement benefits are available at age 65, and early retirement benefits are available to members with 25 years of service on an actuarially reduced basis beginning at age 60. The maximum pension benefit is $300 per month.

At any time prior to retirement or at the time of retirement, a member of the VFFRORPS may purchase retirement pension coverage for years of eligible service prior to the member's enrollment in the system, or for years of service credit lost due to the withdrawal of the member's pension contributions. A member choosing to purchase such retirement pension coverage must make a contribution to the system equal to the actuarial value of the resulting benefit increase. The municipality that the member serves may contribute some or all of the amount required to purchase coverage.

Summary of Bill:

Chaplains that volunteer with fire departments and volunteer law enforcement chaplains are eligible for participation in the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ and Relief Officers’ Relief and Pension System.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.