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Comparison of PFRS Benefits

Below is a comparison of Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) benefits by tier. For detailed retirement plan information, visit our Publications page.

Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 5 Tier 6
Membership Dates
July 31, 1973 through June 30, 2009 July 1, 2009 through January 8, 2010 January 9, 2010 through March 31, 2012 April 1, 2012 and after
Vesting
After earning 5 years of service credit After earning 5 years of service credit After earning 5 years of service credit After earning 5 years of service credit
Employee Contributions

None, if employer offers a non-contributory plan

Article 11: None, if employer offers a non-contributory plan

Article 14: 3% for 25 years or until retirement, whichever is earlier

3% until retirement unless the member’s plan limits creditable service to 20, 25 or 32 years.

Contributions are not required after the maximum service credit allowed has been reached. (Certain PFRS members covered by union-negotiated contracts that require their employer to offer a special plan may not be required to contribute.)

Members contribute until retirement unless the member’s plan limits creditable service to 20, 25 or 32 years.

Contributions are not required after the maximum service credit allowed has been reached. (Certain PFRS members covered by union-negotiated contracts that require their employer to offer a special plan may not be required to contribute.)

  • From April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013, 3% of gross salary
  • Beginning April 1, 2013, contribution rate based on annual salary

See the Tier 6 PFRS member contributions.
Retirement Age
  • Members in special plans can retire after completing their plan’s minimum service requirement, regardless of age
  • Full benefits at age 62 for members in regular plans

Article 11:

  • Members in special plans can retire after completing their plan’s minimum service requirement, regardless of age
  • Full benefits at age 62 for members in regular plans

Article 14:

  • Normal retirement with 22 years of service
  • Early retirement with 20 years of service
  • Members in special plans can retire after completing their plan’s minimum service requirement, regardless of age
  • Full benefits at age 62 for members in regular plans
  • Members in special plans can retire after completing their plan’s minimum service requirement, regardless of age
  • Full benefits at age 62 for members in regular plans (age 63 for vested members not on the payroll)
Reductions for Early Retirement

Articles 11 and 22:

Benefit reduction is permanent, and percentage is prorated based on exact age at retirement.

Age at Retirement Percentage of Reduction
55 27
56 24
57 21
58 18
59 15
60 12
61 6
62 0
Final Average Earnings (FAE) Calculation
The average of the wages earned during the three highest consecutive years of service, subject to limitations The average of the wages earned during the three highest consecutive years of service, subject to limitations The average of the wages earned during the three highest consecutive years of service, subject to limitations The average of the wages earned during the five highest consecutive years of service, subject to limitations
FAE Limitation

The wages in any year cannot exceed the average of the previous two years by more than 20%

Article 11: The wages in any year cannot exceed the average of the previous two years by more than 20%

Article 14: The wages in any year cannot exceed the average of the previous two years by more than 10%

The wages in any year cannot exceed the average of the previous two years by more than 20%

The wages in any year cannot exceed the average of the previous four years by more than 10%
Payments Not Included in FAE
  • Unused sick leave
  • Payments made as a result of working vacation
  • Any form of termination pay
  • Payments made in anticipation of retirement
  • Lump sum payments for deferred compensation
  • Any payments made for time not worked
  • Lump sum payments for accumulated vacation
  • For members who joined on or after April 1, 1996, wages in excess of IRC Section 401(a)(17) limit; $330,000 for earnings from April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024

Article 11:

  • Unused sick leave
  • Payments made as a result of working vacation
  • Any form of termination pay
  • Payments made in anticipation of retirement
  • Lump sum payments for deferred compensation
  • Any payments made for time not worked
  • Lump sum payments for accumulated vacation
  • Wages in excess of IRC Section 401(a)(17) limit; $330,000 for earnings from April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024

Article 14:

  • Unused sick leave
  • Payments made as a result of working vacation
  • Any form of termination pay
  • Payments made in anticipation of retirement
  • Lump sum payments for deferred compensation
  • Any payments made for time not worked
  • Wages in excess of IRC Section 401(a)(17) limit; $330,000 for earnings from April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024
  • Unused sick leave
  • Payments made as a result of working vacation
  • Any form of termination pay
  • Payments made in anticipation of retirement
  • Lump sum payments for deferred compensation
  • Any payments made for time not worked
  • Lump sum payments for accumulated vacation
  • Wages in excess of IRC Section 401(a)(17) limit; $330,000 for earnings from April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024
  • Unused sick leave
  • Payments made as a result of working vacation
  • Any form of termination pay
  • Payments made in anticipation of retirement
  • Lump sum payments for deferred compensation
  • Any payments made for time not worked
  • Lump sum payments for accumulated vacation
  • Wages in excess of the Governor’s salary
  • Wages reported by more than your primary and secondary (if applicable) employers
Overtime Limit
None None The amount of overtime pay that can be used in an FAE calculation is limited to 15% of salary each year. The amount of overtime pay that can be used in an FAE calculation is limited to 15% of salary each year.
Service Retirement Benefit Calculation

Section 375-h, 375-i Regular Plan:

  • With 20 years of service: 2% of FAE times years of credited service to a maximum of 32 years
  • With < 20 years of service: 1.66% of FAE times years of service

Article 11: Section 375-h, 375-i Regular Plan:

  • With 20 years of service: 2% of FAE times years of credited service to a maximum of 32 years
  • With < 20 years of service: 1.66% of FAE times years of service

Article 14:

  • With 22 years of service: 50% of FAE
  • With 20 years of service: 42% of FAE plus an additional 4% for service beyond 20 years to a maximum of 22 years
  • With < 20 years of service: 1.66% of FAE times years of service

Section 375-h, 375-i Regular Plan:

  • With 20 years of service: 2% of FAE times years of credited service to a maximum of 32 years
  • With < 20 years of service: 1.66% of FAE times years of service

Section 375-h, 375-i Regular Plan:

  • With 20 years of service: 2% of FAE times years of credited service to a maximum of 32 years
  • With < 20 years of service: 1.66% of FAE times years of service
Sick Leave Credit (Section 341(j) RSSL)
Eligible members may receive service credit for up to 165 days (200 days for some members) of unused, unpaid sick leave days at retirement. Eligible members may receive service credit for up to 165 days (200 days for some members) of unused, unpaid sick leave days at retirement. Eligible members may receive service credit for up to 165 days (200 days for some members) of unused, unpaid sick leave days at retirement. Eligible members may receive service credit for up to 165 days (200 days for some members) of unused, unpaid sick leave days at retirement.

Rev. 9/23