2027 SVF Administrative Fee Increase
The annual administrative fee of $60 per member will increase to $80 per member effective January 1, 2027. All administrative costs, including PERA staff time, are shared equally among participating members. Fire chiefs, governing body representatives, and firefighters can help control costs by providing timely, accurate information and using PERA’s website as a primary resource for SVF information.
Vesting Service Credit
In 2023, the Minnesota legislature created “vesting service credit,” which changed how PERA determines vesting percentages for SVF member benefits.
PERA can use non-concurrent volunteer firefighter service earned at any fire department in Minnesota for vesting purposes, even if that department does not participate in the SVF Plan.
SVF Service for Vesting Credit
If all volunteer firefighter service is with SVF-participating departments,
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Vesting service credit is automatically applied.
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The member does not need to take action.
SVF Service Vesting Example:
A firefighter volunteered at two SVF fire departments during their career:
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10 years at the Yellow Department from 2004 to 2014
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10 years at the Green Department from 2015 to 2025
For vesting purposes, PERA cannot use the member’s service with the Green Department in the Yellow Department’s benefit formula because the member’s service with the Green Department was after their service with the Yellow Department.
However, the Green Department's benefit formula combines the member’s service from both the Yellow and Green Departments for vesting purposes.
The formula for each SVF benefit is:
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Yellow benefit = 10 years (Yellow service) x $500 (Yellow benefit level) x 60% vesting percentage (Yellow service only)
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Green benefit = 10 years (Green service) x $700 (Green benefit level) x 100% vesting percentage (Yellow and Green service combined)
Non-SVF Service for Vesting Credit
If any volunteer firefighter service is with a non-SVF department,
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Vesting service credit from the non-SVF fire department is not automatically applied.
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The member must submit the SVF Prior Volunteer Firefighter Service Form to PERA for each non-SVF department. The form must be completed and signed by the member, their prior department’s fire chief, and their current department's governing body representative.
Non-SVF Service Vesting Example:
A firefighter volunteered at two fire departments during their career:
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Five years at the Red Department (not-SVF) from 2000 to 2005
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15 years at the Blue Department (SVF) from 2010 to 2025
For vesting purposes, PERA combines the member’s five years of service at the Red Department with their 15 years of service at the Blue Department. The member has 20 years of combined service, so they are 100% vested.
The formula for the SVF Blue benefit is:
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Blue benefit = 15 years (Blue service) x $500 (Blue benefit level) x 100% vesting percentage (Blue and Red service combined)
- Since the Red Department is not participating in the SVF Plan, PERA cannot calculate this benefit.
Reporting a Firefighter's Death
To report a death, fire chiefs or governing body representatives should email PERA’s SVF team at .
Provide the firefighter’s name and date of death in your email.
SVF Retirement Benefits
Important information about SVF retirement benefits is below.
To be eligible for an SVF Defined Benefit Plan (SVF DBP) retirement benefit, members must:
1. Separate from the fire department. Members must be separated from active service for at least 30 days.
2. Be at least 50 years old. If a member is younger than age 50, the benefit will be deferred without interest until they apply for retirement after age 50.
3. Meet vesting requirements. Members must have served the minimum number of years to vest their retirement benefit. Vesting is determined by fire department’s vesting schedule.
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To adjust federal tax withholding, members must submit the W-4P or W-4R federal tax form.
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If a member does not submit any tax forms, they will receive the default tax withholding.
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If a member earned additional service credit in the current calendar year, list that service when you certify their application.
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PERA will calculate the benefit according to the service credit certified on the application.
Benefit Amount = Years of Service x Benefit Level x Vesting Percentage
For individuals who terminated service before their fire department joined the SVF Plan, PERA will calculate benefits according to the relief association’s bylaws.
SVF Defined Contribution Plan (SVF DCP) information will be provided soon on PERA’s SVF Dashboard.
SVF Benefits and Divorce
SVF benefits can be split by a divorce decree.
- Members send PERA the proposed divorce language before the court order is finalized.
- If the member divorced while participating in the SVF Plan (or any other PERA plan), send the divorce decree to PERA.
- If the member was awarded the entire SVF benefit, send a scan or copy of the entire decree.
- If the SVF benefit was divided, send an entire certified copy of the decree, stamped by the court and signed by the judge.
- PERA will review the decree and respond to the member.
SVF Department Contacts
Each department’s fire chief and governing body representative communicate and exchange information with PERA.
As outlined in Fire Chief & Governing Body Responsibilities, you have specific responsibilities that include sharing information with volunteer firefighters and others, according to the data practices and policies of the governing body.
Interested parties should coordinate with their department’s designated representatives to address any questions.
For more information, refer to SVF Contacts on mnpera.org.
SVF Authorized Contacts
The fire chief and governing body representative can each choose one individual (up to two total) as an SVF authorized contact.
- The designated SVF authorized contact can:
- Request and receive information for you.
- Receive information directly from PERA, or PERA may choose to forward the information to fire chiefs and governing body representatives.
- PERA will continue to send official email communications directly to you, not the SVF authorized contact.
Share SVF Plan information with others according to the data practices and policies of the applicable governing body.
For more information, refer to SVF Contacts on mnpera.org.
To set up or remove an SVF authorized contact,
- The fire chief or governing body representative must email PERASVF@mnpera.org. In your email, include the name of the SVF authorized contact, their position, email address, and phone number.
- PERA will email you the next steps.
SBI Account Access Users
To find financial information, refer to the links below:
What is an SBI account access user?
An SBI account access user is someone who has login credentials and can access the fire department’s SVF financial information on the SBI website.
PERA administers the SVF plan and verifies contact information. We then forward contact change requests to SBI. SBI will contact individuals directly to set up log-in credentials. SBI is a separate agency from PERA.
- SBI accounts do not display individual balances or benefit estimates.
- To learn more, refer to SBI Account with SVF.
To add or remove SBI account access,
1. The fire chief or governing body representative must email PERASVF@mnpera.org. In your email, include:
Approval for access request for SBI access
Name:
Title:
Phone:
Email:
Please remove the following from SBI access (if any)
Name:
Title:
Reason for removal:
2. PERA will forward to the information to SBI.
3. SBI will review the information and contact you.
Questions?
If you have any questions, contact PERA’s SVF team by email at PERASVF@mnpera.org or by phone at 888-892-7372, option #6.
Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting your firefighters’ retirement benefits!
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