years of active service
A member generally becomes vested after 20 years of covered service.
← Local 4406 Resource CenterRETIREMENT & DISABILITY // LOCAL 4406 MEMBER CENTER
Start with the right fund.
Local 4406 firefighters and fire based paramedics may work side by side while belonging to retirement systems with completely different eligibility, disability, and survivor rules. Confirm the fund before relying on the answer.
01 // CHOOSE THE CORRECT PATH
Same firehouse. Different retirement law.
PERF membership does not make a paramedic a 1977 Fund member, and working for a fire department does not merge the two systems. Use the plan name shown in the member's official INPRS account.
FIREFIGHTERS1977
Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension and Disability Fund
Defined benefit pension, statutory disability process, local board involvement, DROP, and statutory survivor benefits.
Open the 1977 Fund path ↓FIRE BASED PARAMEDICSPERFPublic Employees' Retirement Fund
Confirm whether the member is in the Hybrid Plan or My Choice Plan. The benefit structure and disability protection are not the same.
Open the PERF path ↓02 // 1977 FUND
Retirement, DROP, disability, and survivors.
The 1977 Fund is a statutory pension and disability system for qualifying police officers and firefighters. The local board has a critical role in disability matters, while INPRS administers the system level benefit.
minimum age
At age 50 the benefit is currently 88 percent, and at age 51 it is 94 percent, for a vested member.
minimum age
A member with at least 20 years may receive an unreduced benefit at age 52.
of first class salary
For qualifying retirements after June 30, 2019, the formula begins at 52 percent after 20 years and adds 1 percent for each six months of active service, up to 76 percent at 32 years.
DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN
DROP lets an eligible member keep working after reaching unreduced retirement eligibility.
The retirement benefit is calculated and credited under the DROP rules while the member continues receiving salary. For elections after June 30, 2024, participation may extend up to 60 months. The member must notify the employer of the DROP election within 30 days.
60monthsReview DROP with INPRS ↗
1977 FUND DISABILITY
The local board process starts before separation.
INPRS is the system board, not the member's local board. The local board determines the covered impairment and sends its record to the 1977 Fund.
01
Request a hearing from the local board before separating from 1977 Fund covered employment
02
Provide relevant medical records to the hiring authority and the local board
03
Allow the hiring authority to determine whether suitable and available work exists
04
The local board must hold the covered impairment hearing within 90 days after notice
05
The local board determines the applicable impairment classification or duty relationship
06
The local board sends its determinations, medical records, and hearing transcript to INPRS
SURVIVOR BENEFITS
The statute determines the first line of survivors.
Before retirement, eligible survivors and beneficiaries are governed by the 1977 Fund statute. Members should keep marital status, dependent information, contact details, and any permitted beneficiary designation current. A family member should report a death to INPRS immediately.
2026 LAW UPDATE
$15,000 lump sum death benefit
INPRS reports that a 1977 Fund member's estate or heirs are entitled to a one time $15,000 death benefit when the member's death occurs on or after March 5, 2026. Eligibility and payment should be confirmed directly with INPRS.
03 // PERF FOR LOCAL 4406 PARAMEDICS
Confirm Hybrid or My Choice before calculating anything.
PERF is not one benefit design. Hybrid combines a pension and a defined contribution account. My Choice is a defined contribution plan. The member's INPRS account and employer participation control.
Pension plus 401(a) account
The defined benefit pension generally vests after 10 years of creditable service. The separate defined contribution account contains member contributions and investment results.
- Full benefit at age 65 with 10 years
- Full benefit at age 60 with 15 years
- Rule of 85 with a minimum age of 55
- Possible reduced retirement from age 50 through 59 with 15 years
Defined contribution account only
The member is always fully vested in the fixed 3 percent employee contribution and rollover money. Employer contributions vest 20 percent per year and become fully vested after five years.
- No defined benefit pension formula
- Account balance and investments matter
- Distribution options depend on separation and age
- COLAs and 13th checks do not apply to My Choice
GENERAL PERF HYBRID PENSION FORMULA
High 5 average salary×Years of service×1.1%÷12 months
This is the statutory starting formula for the defined benefit portion. An official INPRS calculation controls the final pension.
PERF HYBRID DISABILITY
Social Security approval is part of the claim.
A PERF Hybrid member generally needs at least five years of service, must become disabled while employed in a covered position, and must be found disabled by the Social Security Administration. Pay status, workers' compensation, employer disability coverage, FMLA status, the Social Security onset date, and the last paycheck can affect eligibility and commencement.
Do not wait until employment and benefit protections have ended to learn which date mattered.
Read PERF disability requirements ↗JULY 1, 2026 UPDATE
Some vested My Choice members may now have a second chance to enter Hybrid.
The option exists only when the employer offers both plans and adopts the required resolution. The election is one time and irrevocable. The member keeps the My Choice account and may later purchase eligible Hybrid service after earning one year of Hybrid service. The purchase may be expensive, so an estimate matters.
Read the INPRS Second Chance update ↗PERF SURVIVORS
Hybrid pension rights and account beneficiaries are separate questions.
For a vested Hybrid member who dies before retirement, a qualifying spouse or dependent child may be entitled to a pension benefit. The defined contribution account and My Choice account follow the applicable beneficiary and distribution rules. Report a death to INPRS and request the fund specific packet.
04 // BEFORE YOU FILE
Retirement is a date. Planning is a process.
Begin with official account records and a written estimate. A retirement date can affect the pension formula, DROP, health coverage, leave payout, taxes, survivor elections, and when the first payment arrives.
Schedule INPRS counseling ↗01
Confirm the exact fund and plan shown in your myINPRS account
02
Verify service credit, vesting status, beneficiary information, and personal contact details
03
Request an official benefit estimate instead of relying only on a personal spreadsheet
04
Review survivor choices with your spouse or beneficiary before selecting a payment option
05
Compare health insurance, Medicare timing, taxes, deferred compensation, and leave payouts
06
Submit a retirement application at least 90 days before the intended retirement date
07
Keep copies of the application, estimate, elections, correspondence, and employer certification
05 // CURRENT OFFICIAL RESOURCES
Go back to INPRS for the current form.
Retirement and disability forms change. Use these official pages instead of an old PDF saved on a department drive.
01
1977 Fund member page
Eligibility, retirement, DROP, disability, survivor information, and current updates
Open official resource ↗02PERF member page
Hybrid, My Choice, service credit, retirement, disability, and distributions
Open official resource ↗03INPRS member handbooks
Current plan handbooks for the 1977 Fund, PERF Hybrid, and PERF My Choice
Open official resource ↗04INPRS forms library
Filter current forms by fund and subject instead of using an old saved copy
Open official resource ↗05Workshops and counseling
Schedule a retirement counseling session or PERF workshop with INPRS
Open official resource ↗LOCAL 4406 REVIEW
Before a disability separation or final retirement election, call someone.
Local 4406 can help organize the process and identify the right questions. INPRS controls the official account and benefit calculation. Individual legal, tax, medical, and financial advice should come from the appropriate professional.
Last reviewed August 2026
General member education only. Indiana law, the member's official INPRS account, current plan documents, employer records, medical evidence, and individual facts control. Benefit laws and administrative guidance can change. Confirm all eligibility, dates, estimates, and elections directly with INPRS before acting.