This Senate Bill makes important changes to the state pension plan. Included in the bill is the removal of the 25 year manditory retirement clause; members will now continue to contribute 7% every year they work after their 20th year; and members will earn 3.5% pension for every year they work above 20 years - no restrictions. Any members who are paying into this specific plan and have questions should contact the your WFFA state pension representative, Joseph Malloy.

This bill can be viewed on the DE Legislative Web Site

The following statement is from Joe Malloy on July 8, 2005 to clarify the bill.

I understand that some firefighters are being told by other firefighters [not in our plan] that we would still stop earning after 25 yrs. Therefore, I received clarification from the state pension administrator and his answers were simple and to the point.First, to put things into perspective this is a list of every agency covered in our plan:

Camden, Cheswold, Dagsboro, Delmar, Dewey Beach, Dover, Felton, Georgetown, Harrington, Millsboro, City of New Castle, New Castle County, Ocean View, Wilmington Police and Fire, Wyoming and possibly Laurel by next year.So you can understand this is bigger than just our department. His answers are below.

· Every employee now pays 7% of wages regardless if social security is taken out or not.

· You pay 7% until you retire.

· You earn 2 1/2 % per year until your 20th year.

· You earn 3 1/2% every year after that until you retire not to exceed 99%.

· You retire based on the rules of your employer (not the state pension).

Additionally, I did the research and here is a copy of the City of Wilmington's code regarding retirement.

· Sec. 39-36. Age or years of service.
Every covered employee of the city within the meaning of this article may be retired after such employee shall have served in covered employment for 20 years, or on or after attaining the age of 60 years in the case of a female employee, or the age of 65 years in the case of a male employee, and shall after retirement during the remainder of his life receive the pension fixed by this article, subject to such qualifications and reservations as are contained in this article; provided, that prior to July 1, 1948, any covered employee may continue active work at his option, irrespective of his age, provided he continues to be mentally and physically fit and is able to properly discharge his duties, but on and after such date a covered employee may continue active work at the option of the department or agency by which he is employed up to the age of 65 years for female employees or 70 years for male employees, at which time retirement shall be mandatory for covered employees. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to make mandatory the retirement of any employee who is not in covered employment. (46 Del. L. ch. 237, § 2; 47 Del. L. ch. 225; 47 Del. L. ch. 257, § 1; 49 Del. L. ch. 230, § 1; 51 Del. L. ch. 165, § 1; Code 1968, § 28A-6)

These are the facts. If anyone has any doubts - call me. Thanks, Joe Malloy