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As part of our country's response to the recent terrorist
attacks, some of you may report to active military duty.
Through federal
law (the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployments Rights Act-USERRA)
and the Combined Plan Document, you have the right to
purchase pension service for the period of your military service when you
return to your job.
Read below for answers to basic questions regarding
how military service affects your pension benefits. Police Officers and
Firefighters should
call your Department resources for information other than pension benefits.
If
I am called to active military duty…
| Q: |
What military service is covered? |
| A: |
If your separation from active military service
is honorable, any service with the following groups:
| • |
U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or
Coast Guard, including the reserve units |
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Army National Guard and Air National Guard |
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The commissioned corps of the Public Health Service |
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Any other category of persons designated by the President
in time of
war or national emergency
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| Q: |
How long can I stay in the military and still receive pension service
from the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System? |
| A: |
Generally, you may purchase pension service for up to four years
of military service (five years, if the fifth year is at the request
and convenience of the government) for all periods of military leave
during your lifetime.
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| Q: |
What if I become disabled while on military duty? |
| A: |
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If you cannot return to work because of your disability,
your pension benefits will the same as if you left employment
with your department at the time you were called to active military
duty. You will have a vested benefit if you are not old enough
for a service retirement. |
| • |
If you return to your job at the department and a disability
develops from something that happened while you were in the military,
you will have the same benefits as any Pension System Member
who becomes disabled off duty.
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| Q: |
What if I die while on military duty? |
| A: |
In the event of your death, your pension plan survivor benefits
will be calculated as if you left employment with the department
at the time you were called to active military duty.
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| Q: |
What if I come back? Will my job be waiting for me? |
| A: |
Your department will assist you with nonpension
information. Please refer to the memo you were sent from the City
of Dallas entitled "Employees Called to Active Military Duty."
For more information, contact the Human Resources
representative from your department.
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| Q: |
What will it cost to buy pension service for the period of my military
leave? |
| A: |
You will pay your member contribution of 8.5% of your calculated
pay that you would have been paid if you had remained in service
with your department.
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| Q: |
How do I pay for my benefits for the time I served in the military? |
| A: |
Immediately upon return to employment as a
police officer or firefighter, apply in writing to the System for
a calculation of the amount required to establish pension credit
for your Uniformed Service Leave. Send your requests to:
Dallas Police and Fire Pension
System
2301 North Akard Street, Suite 200
Dallas, Texas 75201
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Your release from active duty status must have
been under honorable conditions. |
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For full-time active military duty, you must apply for reinstatement
with your employer within 90 days of your discharge. |
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If you were in a reserve unit, you must return to employment
within 31
days of your discharge. |
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You can buy pension service for the period from the time
you were called to active military duty until you return to
your job as a police officer or firefighter (including any
time off in between) through payment of your contributions. |
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You can purchase the service interest-free with after-tax
dollars by making payment in a lump sum or installments, but
only if you do so shortly after your return (within a period
of three times the length of your military service, but not
more than five years after your return to employment from active
military
duty). |
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You can purchase the service credit in installments that
span more than five years, but you must pay the interest on
any amount remaining due after the interest-free period has
passed. |
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Payments may not be made after you terminate active service
with the
department, retire, or die. |
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If you join DROP after you return to employment with your
department, you may purchase pension service for the period
of military leave with certain restrictions on when the service
may purchased. Contact a benefits counselor
for more information.
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| Q: |
What if I do not return to a position covered by the Pension System? |
| A: |
Your benefits would be the same as if you left active duty for
any other reason on the date you left for active military duty, and
you will not be allowed to purchase the lost pension service. |
The information above
is a summary of Plan provisions regarding the purchase of pension service
for a period of military leave.
Your
rights are determined
by the Federal law and the Combined Pension Plan Document. Links to additional information:
Combined Pension Plan Document
U.S. Department of Labor
FMLA Special Rules for Returning Reservists (USERRA)
U.S. Department of Labor,
Small Business Handbook
Uniformed
Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
U.S. Department of Labor
Chapter 43 - Employment and
Reemployment Rights of Members of the Uniformed Services
U.S Office of
Special Council
Information about the Uniformed Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act
We Are Here to Help
We do our best to provide clear, understandable information to you. For more Member or Pensioner information, please contact us via e-mail at info@dpfp.org. You also call the Pension System office at 214.638.3863 or 1.800.638.3861, and ask for a Benefits Counselor. Our Benefits Counselors are trained to answer all your pension questions.
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