West Palm Beach police pension rules set benefit and employment terms

The pension fund would calculate benefits at 3.2 percent of final average salary for each service year up to 26 years, then 1 percent for each additional year or fraction of a year. This applies to members retiring on or after October 1, 2026, and uses the member's final average salary and credited service. Members who terminated employment, retired, or entered DROP before October 1, 2026, would not receive this formula. Members active on September 30, 2026, would receive at least the benefit accrued by that date. The benefit would not be less than 2.75 percent for each year of credited service. The formula applies to retirements on or after October 1, 2026; the act takes effect when it becomes law.

The pension board would hold an appeal hearing within 45 days after receiving an appeal and decide the claim within 5 days after the hearing. This applies to applicants whose pension requests were denied and who file an appeal within 20 days. The board would give written hearing notice at least 10 days before the hearing. The applicant and board could present evidence, question witnesses, make arguments, and use lawyers. The applicant could ask a circuit court to review the board's order within 30 days. The appeal must be filed within 20 days after notice of denial; the hearing, decision, and order deadlines run from the appeal, hearing, and board decision as stated in the provision.

A retiree receiving a normal retirement pension could not be rehired as a police officer or as someone who supervises police officers. This applies to retirees returning to the City Police Department after normal retirement under this plan. The pension would stop while a retiree works as a police officer or supervises police officers. A retiree working in another position could join the plan for new employees in that job classification and would follow its vesting and contribution rules. The retiree's benefit under this plan would not otherwise change. The act takes effect when it becomes law; the employment restriction applies during any covered reemployment.