PFRS FAQ's

The purpose of this frequently asked questions page is to give you a general understanding in layman’s language of the main provisions of the Police & Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit. The operations of the Retirement System are governed by the pertinent provisions of any applicable Federal law, the State Constitution, State Statutes, the City Charter, City ordinances, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and continuing Board policies, procedures and regulations. If you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement relative to pension benefits are controlling in the event of a conflict between the (1) terms of the collective bargaining agreement or (2) the City Charter, ordinances or information in this booklet. The Board of Trustees of the Police & Fire Retirement System is vested with authority for the operation, management and administration of the Retirement System, consistent with the above, and has certain rulemaking and policy-making authority, subject to aforementioned legal authority.

WE URGE YOU TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE PROVISIONS OF YOUR RETIREMENT SYSTEM. YOU SHOULD FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TERMS OF YOUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WHICH WILL CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT WITH THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THIS PAGE.

Get responses to some of the most frequently asked questions by active employees, just follow the links.......

1. WHEN MAY I RETIRE?

2. HOW IS THE AMOUNT OF MY STRAIGHT LIFE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE COMPUTED?

3. A STRAIGHT LIFE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE PROVIDES ME WITH PAYMENTS FOR LIFE. CAN I FINANCIALLY PROTECT MY BENEFICIARY BY CHOOSING SOME OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT?

4. CAN I NAME SOMEONE OTHER THAN MY SPOUSE AS MY BENEFICIARY?

5. WHAT IS THE BEST PENSION OPTION TO CHOOSE?

6. WHAT IS THE "POP - UP" OPTION?

7. IS MY PENSION TAXABLE?

8. WHAT IS THE NEW DROP PLAN?

9. WHAT IF I BECOME TOTALLY AND PERMANENTLY DISABLED?

10. IF I RETIRE WITH A DUTY/ NON-DUTY DISABILITY RETIREMENT, CAN I WITHDRAW MY DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN (ANNUITY) MONIES?

11. ARE DISABILITY BENEFITS OFFSET BY OUTSIDE EARNINGS?