| Q: |
Who gets an annual adjustment? |
| A: |
Generally, Group A (formerly Plan A) and Group B Pensioners, survivors, and alternate
payees in payment status (Pensioners or DROP Members) receive the
annual adjustment. Generally, persons receiving the minimum benefit
do not receive the annual adjustment.
|
| Q: |
What is the amount of the increase for the annual adjustment? |
| A: |
The annual adjustment is 4% of your base benefit (the amount calculated
when you first left Active Service or joined DROP).
|
| Q: |
How can I tell what my base benefit is? |
| A: |
Look on the retirement paperwork you received when you retired, or ask a Benefits Counselor at the Pension System
office through e-mail at info@dpfp.org,
or call 214.638.3863 or 1.800.638.3861.
|
| Q: |
If I am eligible for a 4% increase, why hasn't my check
increased by 4%?
|
| A: |
Your increase is calculated on 4% of your base
benefit, an number determined when you first left Active Service
or joined DROP. Your increase is not 4% of your current benefit
amount. See question 2 above.
Example:
Firefighter Gonzales begins receiving a retirement benefit equal to $3,714.63. Her monthly annual
adjustment amount will be:
$3,714.63 x 4% = $148.59
On the first October following her retirement,
her pension becomes:
$3,714.63 + 148.59 = $3,863.22
The following October, her benefit will again
be increased by $148.59 to become $4,011.81. The same amount is
added to her pension benefit each October thereafter while she
remains in pay status.
|
| Q: |
When does the adjustment begin? |
| A: |
The annual adjustment is added to benefit payments each October 1. Eligible Pensioners in Group A and
Group B and DROP Members will see the increase on the October depostis or checks they receive at the end of that month.
|
| Q: |
What about Old Plan Pensioners? |
| A: |
Old Plan Pensioners do not receive the 4% annual adjustment. Old
Plan Pensioners receive an increase when Active Members receive an
increase in pay or when the minimum benefit is raised. When active Police Officers and Firefighters receive a raise, Old Plan Pensioners will receive a raise based on the increase for Active Members.
|
| Q: |
I receive the minimum benefit, why didn't I get an increase? |
| A: |
The annual adjustment is not added to the minimum benefit. However, we keep track of your calculated base benefit plus annual adjustment. When your calculated base benefit plus accumulated annual adjustments exceeds your minimum benefit, we will change you to the greater amount.
|
| Q: |
I have been receiving the minimum benefit. How did I get an increase? |
| A: |
With the 4% annual adjustment, your adjusted calculated base benefit must have been higher than the minimum benefit. So your benefit was changed to the greater amount. We always compare the calculated benefit to the minimum benefit, and you receive the larger amount.
|
| Q: |
I receive pension benefits as part of a divorce settlement. Will
I get the annual adjustment? |
| A: |
Yes, both the Member and alternate payees in Group A and Group B will receive the annual
adjustment.
|
| Q: |
I receive pension benefits as a survivor of a deceased Member.
Will I get the annual adjustment? |
| A: |
Yes, survivors in Group A and Group B will receive the annual adjustment,
which is 4% of the base benefit at the time the Member left Active
Service.
|
| Q: |
What if I have more questions? |
| A: |
We are here to help. We do our best to provide clear, understandable
information to you.
If you have additional questions about your Pension Benefits, send your request to info@dpfp.org, or call us at 214.638.3863 or 1.800.638.3861.
Call your Department resources for information other than pension benefits.
For health benefit questions, call the City of Dallas Benefit Service Center at 1.888.873.7692.
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