FloridaPension rules set benefit calculations and service-credit options for firefighters
West Palm Beach firefighters' pension rules provide a conditional 3.2 percent accrual rate, recognize some duty-related cancers, and allow paid prior-service credit.
What it does
Active members who remain employed through September 30, 2026 would have a 3.2 percent pension accrual factor beginning October 1, 2026, retroactive to May 13, 2012.
A member who becomes totally and permanently disabled because of a qualifying cancer would be treated as disabled in the line of duty, without allowing contrary evidence.
Members may buy up to five years of eligible earlier firefighter or military service, but they must pay the required costs and the credit does not count toward vesting.
Argument forThe pension formula may provide larger retirement benefits to eligible active members who remain employed through September 30, 2026.
Argument againstMembers may not keep the 3.2 percent factor if changed assumptions raise City contributions, because the plan can reduce the factor prospectively.
More detail
The pension plan calculates the specified benefit using a 3.2 percent accrual factor. This applies to members who are active on September 30, 2026 and who retire on or after October 1, 2026; members who leave or retire before October 1, 2026 are excluded. The factor applies to service covered by the stated pension formula and is subject to the plan's actuarial assumptions. If a change in those assumptions increases City contributions, the factor may be reduced prospectively to offset that increase, but not below 2.5 percent. The factor applies beginning October 1, 2026 and is stated to apply retroactively to service earned on and after May 13, 2012.
The pension plan treats qualifying cancer-related total and permanent disabilities as line-of-duty disabilities. This applies to a member who becomes totally and permanently disabled because of a cancer diagnosis or treatment covered by the referenced state law. The cancer must meet the definition in section 112.1816(1), Florida Statutes. The presumption cannot be disproved by contrary evidence.
A member may purchase credit for eligible prior firefighter or military service by paying the required amount. Eligible service includes earlier work for municipal, county, state, or federal fire departments or districts and service in the U.S. armed forces, up to five years. The member must pay the required contributions, actuarial costs, and professional fees. The service cannot also support a pension from another retirement plan. Purchased credit counts for most plan purposes but not vesting, and the purchase creates no fiscal impact for the City. A member may request the purchase while employed; payment may be made within six months in one lump sum or over the greater of the time being purchased or five years.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-214Latest
- Jun 8Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 27Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 26ReceivedMinor
- Feb 25Referred to RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25In Messages
- Feb 25Passed; YEAS 116, NAYS 0Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- Feb 10Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 10Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 10Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 6Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Feb 5Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Government Operations Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Reported out of Government Operations Subcommittee
- Feb 5Favorable by Government Operations SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 3Added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 20Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 20Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Government Operations SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 6FiledIntroduced
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