VERA Retirement
Lots of questions about VERA for Firefighters. If you take a VERA retirement without first meeting special category requirements, YOU WILL ONLY RECEIVE REGULAR RETIREMENT. And you will NOT receive the supplement until AGE 57.
VERA eligibility:
20 years of service, including military time, at age 50, or
25 years, including military, regardless of age
Note: Assuming you paid the deposit and have at least 5 years civilian
That is not the same as special category retirement.
Special Category eligibility:
20 years as a Federal Civilian Firefighter at age 50, or
25 years regardless of age as Civilian Firefighter
Military time only adds to your annuity once eligible for special category. I do not know of any changes in the rules that allow Firefighters to receive special category retirement with less than 20 years as a civilian firefighter.
Federal Firefighter Pay & Retirement
Navigate the complexities of Federal Firefighter Pay Regulations & Special Category Retirement.
Federal Firefighter Pay and Special Category Retirement has always been a challenge to the men and women of the Fire Service and the Human Resource personnel who administer the program. Home to the popular Federal Firefighter Pay Program, FedFirePay is now available to educate and consult with Federal Fire Teams around the world.
An on-site training program is the first and most critical step to emphasize the importance of sound retirement planning and to encourage members to take full advantage of a comprehensive benefits
package available to all Federal employees.
Individuals can also receive a 1-on-1 retirement consultation tailored to each individual's circumstances and career goals. These sessions can supplement a larger group training program or be scheduled independently. The information provided during these sessions can assist with future career and financial decisions.
It is never too early to start planning for the future. Let FedFirePay be a valuable resource to a prosperous career and satisfying retirement. Please Contact Us for more information or visit our Services page.
Disclaimer: FedFirePay LLC is not a professional financial service. FedFirePay LLC does not sell financial or monetary products, nor does it provide specific investment advice. The information presented during training sessions is designed to educate Federal employees on their benefit programs and retirement system as defined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and Federal Regulations. No promise or guarantee is made as to future career earnings, retirement savings, or potential changes to federal pay, benefit and retirement regulations.