VF Retirement Program Overview

By PERA.Outreach | Updated: Aug. 8, 2024, 8:34 p.m.

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Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Program
Overview
VIDEO LIBRARY
PERA Website
www.nmpera.org 
PERA YouTube
NM PERA
In this video you will learn about
• PERA 's Role In the Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Act
• Volunteer Firefighter Requirements
• Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Process
• Things to Remember
Volunteer Firefighters Retirement Act
In 1983, the New Mexico Volunteer Firefighters Retirement Act (VFRA) was established and designated PERA to administer the Volunteer Firefighters (VF) Retirement Program and the funds would be provided by the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Objective 1: PERA's Role
OBJECTIVE 1: PERA's Role
PERA is a 401a qualified government plan governed by the New Mexico Public Employees Retirement Act.
PERA provides benefits to almost 50,000 active members and over 40,000 retirees and beneficiaries.
OBJECTIVE 1: PERA's Role
PERA plays many roles in the administration of the VF Retirement Program, which include:
-Receiving, correcting and processing annual reports from all 360+ Volunteer Fire Departments (VFD);
-Maintaining and adjusting service credit records;
-Processing pensions for VF members and more.
Objective 2: Volunteer Firefighter Requirements
OBJECTIVE 2: Volunteer Firefighter Requirements
The VF Retirement Act applies to volunteer, non-salaried firefighters who are listed as an active member on the rolls of a VFD, and whose first year of service credit was earned during or after the year they turned 16 years old.
OBJECTIVE 2: Volunteer Firefighter Requirements
Each Volunteer Firefighter must attend:

50% of scheduled fire drills;
50% of scheduled business meetings; and
participate in at least 50% of all emergency response calls the member is held responsible to attend.
Objective 3: VF Retirement Preparation
OBJECTIVE 3: VF Retirement Preparation
To qualify for a VF pension from PERA, you must be age 55 or older with 10 or more years of service credit. The monthly amount of your pension is determined by your years of service. 
-At age 55 with 25 or more years of service credit, you will receive $250 per month.
-At age 55 with 10 or more years of service credit, you will receive $125 per month. 
Find the VF Brochure at www.nmpera.org
OBJECTIVE 3: VF Retirement Preparation
If you are considering retiring, PERA requests that you submit the following forms and documentation to us at least sixty (60) calendar days in advance of your anticipated retirement date:

-Application for Volunteer
Firefighter Pension form
-PERA Tax Deduction form
-PERA Direct Deposit 
Authorization form
-Copy or VF's proof of age
-Copy of beneficiary's proof of age
-Copy of VF's social security card
-Copy of beneficiary's social security card
-Copy of marriage certificate (if applicable)
Find the VF Retirement Kit at www.nmpera.org
OBJECTIVE 3: VF Retirement Preparation
If you are receiving your 10th or 25th year for the reporting period, your VFD Chief has to submit the electronic and hard copy annual report successfully with no errors in order for you to receive service credit. You will have to wait for your service credit to post successfully in order to retire.
Objective 3: Things to Remember
OBJECTIVE 3: Things to Remember
It is the Volunteer Firefighter's responsibility to monitor their service credit. 
VF members are only allowed to adjust/correct service credit for the two previous reporting years. 
OBJECTIVE 3: Things to Remember
A Volunteer Firefighter can receive a pension from another state system (PERA, Judicial, Magistrate, or Educational Retirement Board) in addition to their VF retirement pension as long as she/he meets age and service credit requirements in each plan.
OBJECTIVE 3: Things to Remember
A retired Volunteer Firefighter may continue as a Volunteer Firefighter after she/he retires however, they will not be allowed to earn additional service credit. 
OBJECTIVE 3: Things to Remember
As a retiree, your surviving spouse or dependent child will be paid two-thirds of the amount of pension you were receiving at the time of your death. A pension to a surviving spouse terminates upon either remarriage or death. A pension to a dependent child ceases when they reach age 18 or death. 
OBJECTIVE 3: Things to Remember
Make sure that you have submitted a PERA Member Enrollment for VF form along with a copy of your social security card and driver's license so that you do not have to provide it upon retirement.
OBJECTIVE 3: Things to Remember
Be a proactive VF member and check-in with your VFD Fire Chief come reporting time and ensure that you are being reported. Encourage your VF Chief & Reporter to make sure there are no suspended reports. If there are suspended reports, members do not receive their service credit.
OBJECTIVE 3: Things to Remember
Create an account in PERA's RIO Self-Service website and view your service credits on an annual basis.
It is each Volunteer Firefighter's responsibility to monitor and maintain their service credit. 
OBJECTIVE 3: Things to Remember
When you create a RIO account, you will see all of your PERA service credit, which may include service other than your VF service credit. Your VF service credit CANNOT be combined with your PERA service credit. This may be confusing as it is combined in RIO. 
Frequently Asked Question
Can I work for a PERA-affiliated Fire Department and still be a Volunteer Firefighter?

Yes, but your VF service must be non-salaried.
Frequently Asked Question
Can I receive a stipend as a Volunteer Firefighter or VFD Chief?

Yes, stipends are allowed for out of pocket expenses (fuel to get to a fire scene, protective equipment, etc.). If it is not for out of pocket expenses, we will need the VFD or the VF member to reach out to PERA so we can make a determination.
How to Contact PERA
Santa Fe
Address: 33 Plaza La Prensa, Santa Fe, NM 87507
Voice: (505) 476-9300 or (800) 342-3422
Fax: (505) 954-0342
Email: pera-memberservices@state.nm.us 
Albuquerque
Address: 6300 Jefferson St. NE Suite #100, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Voice: (505) 383-6550 or (800) 342-3422
Fax: (505) 954-0342
Email: pera-albuquerque@state.nm.us 
Thank You

VF Retirement Program Overview

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