Becoming a Member of the Retirement Fund
Membership in the 1977 Fund is mandatory for full-time, fully-paid police officers and firefighters who work for employers participationg in the 1977 Fund and who are hired or rehired after April 30, 1977.
However, to become a member of the 1977 Fund, a police officer or firefighter must:
- Pass the required statewide baseline physical and mental examinations; and
- Be less than thirty-six (36) years of age.
Your department may administer additional physical agility or mental examination tests.
Base Salary
Throughout this handbook, you will see references to the term “base salary.” All benefits paid by the 1977 Fund are calculated according to this amount. The base salary is defined by state law as the salary of a first class police officer or firefighter plus all longevity increases (if provided by the employer) for service of 20 years or less, as certified to the 1977 Fund by each department. Upon retirement, benefits are based on the base salary effective for your department in the year your service ends. This first-class salary varies from employer to employer and is certified annually to the 1977 Fund.
