Congratulations on Your Retirement!
Congratulations on your retirement! You now meet the eligibility requirements to begin receiving a monthly benefit from the IAFF MERP Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (IAFF MERP).
In most cases, your retirement should be reported to the Trust Office by your Employer. Once notified that we have received your final contribution, the Trust Office will mail your IAFF MERP Benefit Election Form to your home address.
Please Note:
- Benefit Election Packets are not sent until your final contribution has been received, including any applicable leave or Lump Sum Transfer – the timing of this is dependent on your employer’s payroll cycle.
- Once the final contribution is received, the standard timeline for sending out COBRA and Benefit Election Packets (Early Commencement Notice) is 2-3 weeks.
- Example: If you retire on December 31st, and your last paycheck is processed on January 12th, your packet will hit the mail by January 31st.
It’s important that your mailing address is up to date – you can request updates to your personal information by completing the online Participant Data Form or contacting the Trust Office at (844) 463-5894 or moc.stifenebapb@PREMFFAI.
The information included in your Benefit Election Packet is exhaustive. We’ve prepared a step-by-step guide to help you walk through exactly what you need to do to begin accessing your IAFF MERP benefits.
IMPORTANT: No Monthly Benefit Level will be established until a completed and valid Benefit Election Form is received and processed by the Trust Office.
Step 1: Understand Your Benefits
Your IAFF MERP Benefit Election Packet will include benefit quotes based on the following factors:
Months of Contributions
You need sixty (60) months of contributions to qualify for a lifetime Monthly Benefit Level. If you did not attain sixty (60) months of contributions, you may still qualify by:
• Making COBRA contributions, and/or • Converting an eligible leave or Lump Sum Transfer, and/or
• Converting funds from your existing Individual Account balance
Without 60 months of Plan contributions, you are still entitled to a Short Service benefit, based solely on the contributions made to the Plan on your behalf. Recurring contributions made during your employment will be credited to your Accumulated Benefit.
Lump Sum Transfers & Individual Accounts
If your Local has bargained for a Lump Sum Transfer (e.g., sick leave, vacation or other eligible payout) to MERP, you have the following options:
1. Individual Account You may allocate funds to an Individual Account. If you previously received a Lump Sum Transfer, you may already have an Individual Account stablished. Funds in your Individual Account are available for reimbursement of eligible expenses, with no monthly limit.
2. Conversion to Active Service Units (ASU) You may convert some or all of your Lump Sum Transfer – including a portion of your existing Individual Account balance – into Active Service Units (ASU). This will increase your Monthly Benefit Level. If you have fewer than 60 months of contributions at separation, conversion may also help you qualify for a lifetime benefit. If applicable, this is reflected in your enclosed benefit quotes.
Important: Once processed, this election is permanent and cannot be changed. If your completed Benefit Election Form is not received within sixty (60) days, your default election will automatically be applied and your funds will be transferred to an Individual Account.
COBRA Contributions
You can self-fund MERP for up to eighteen (18) months after separation. If this helps you reach sixty (60) months, it’s included in your benefit quote. More details are provided in your Benefit Election Packet.
Benefit Effective Date
An unreduced Monthly Benefit Level is available beginning the later of:
• the first of the month following your 53rd birthday, or • the first of the month following for final contribution to the Plan (including any leave or Lump Sum Transfer.
For participants who have attained age 53, benefits will be credited retroactively to this effective date once a valid Benefit Election Form is received and processed by the Trust Office.
Lump Sum Transfers After Packet Issuance If your employer reports your separation date and a Benefit Election Packet is issued, and you subsequently become entitled to a Lump Sum Transfer, the Trust Office will provide you with a revised Benefit Election Form reflecting updated options and instructions related to those funds.
Early Commencement
Under the terms of the Plan, full monthly benefits are generally available beginning at age 53. However, you may be eligible to begin benefits earlier if you have attained eligibility for a regular or disability pension through your retirement system.
If you retire before age 53, you will receive an Early Commencement Rights Notice instead of a Benefit Election Packet. To request early commencement of benefits, complete the Early Commencement Request Form included with the Notice and return it promptly to the Trust Office. Once your request is received, a full Benefit Election Packet will be sent to you so that you can make your benefit election.
If you do not request early commencement, you will automatically receive a Benefit Election Packet before your 53rd birthday.
Please note: if you elect to begin benefits before age 53, your Monthly Benefit Level will be actuarially reduced based on your age on the date the Trust Office received your completed Commencement Request Form. Refer to Appendix E – Early Retirement Factors for more information.
Step 2: Choose Your Benefit Options
Carefully review the information presented within your Benefit Election Packet. Complete the Benefit Election Form to answer the following questions:
When will you start your benefit?
If you retire at age 53 or older, your benefits generally become effective the first of the month following your final contribution to the Plan. However, no Monthly Benefit Level will be established until the Trust Office receives a completed and valid Benefit Election Form.
If you retire before age 53, you may choose to request early commencement of benefits at an actuarially reduced Monthly Benefit Level, or defer benefits until age 53.
Would you like to receive a Level Benefit or an Accelerated Benefit?
- Option 1: Level Benefit – same monthly benefit level before and after age 65
- Options 2-4: Accelerated Benefit Options – Higher monthly benefit before age 65, reduced benefit after age 65
What type of benefit would you like for your surviving spouse should you pass away?
Lifetime Surviving Spouse “LSS” Benefit (Default)
- Your spouse will receive 50% of your Monthly Benefit for his/her lifetime.
- Your monthly benefit is reduced due to longer survivor payout.
Surviving Spouse Benefit to Medicare
- Your spouse will receive 50% of your Monthly Benefit until he/she becomes eligible for Medicare
- No reduction to your monthly benefit
Important Notes on Choosing Your Monthly Benefit Option
- Your election is irrevocable and cannot be changed, regardless of future circumstances.
- Monthly Benefit (s) may differ if you elect COBRA.
- If you retire before age 53 (with pension eligibility), you may request early commencement of benefits at an actuarially reduced Monthly Benefit Level or defer benefits until age 53.
- If you choose a Monthly Benefit without “LSS” (e.g., surviving spouse benefit ends at Medicare):
- If you are married, your spouse must sign a notarized acknowledgement
- If you are not married, you must sign a notarized acknowledgement
Step 3: Complete and Submit Required Forms
Please complete and return the following forms, which will be included in your Benefit Election Packet, to the Trust Office. Save copies for your records.
| Form | When It’s Required |
|---|---|
| Benefit Election Form | Required for all participants. |
| Acknowledgement of IAFF MERP Rules and Procedures | Required for all participants. |
| Acknowledgement of Surviving Spouse Benefit | Required only if you are unmarried or electing a benefit without “LSS” (Lifetime Surviving Spouse). |
| Notice of Right to Elect COBRA Election Form | Required only if your election includes a COBRA contribution. |
| Investment Selection Form for Final Leave/Lump Sum Transfer | Required only if: You have a terminal leave and/or other lump sum being transferred to MERP, and You do not already have an Individual Account (IA) established. Not required if you are converting leave and/or Lump Sum Transfer to Active Service Units (ASU). |
Step 4: Submit Required Forms
Submit completed forms to:
IAFF Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan
c/o Benefit Programs Administration
1200 Wilshire Blvd, Fifth Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (844) 353-7839
Fax: (562) 463-3894
Email us
Step 5: Accessing Your IAFF MERP Benefit
Before accessing your IAFF MERP Benefit, complete the following online forms as needed:
- Direct Deposit Form (to receive benefit payments)
- Participant Data Form (to update contact and dependent information). Note: Spouse and IRS-eligible dependent information must be on file to reimburse their Covered Expenses.
Please proceed to: