Joomla! site syndication http://www.rffow.org/rffow Fri, 16 May 2008 00:45:31 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.rffow.org/rffow/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.rffow.org/rffow Joomla! site syndication http://www.rffow.org/rffow/content/view/59/2/ To our LEOFF II brothers and sisters about to retire- Now what?You’ve finally made the decision to retire. Before you go though, you have to make a lot of decisions about health insurance, finances and more. Then, as you walk out the door you will likely be presented with a retired ID card, possibly a Retired Firefighter badge and a “Thank you for your service”. And then you are gone. Welcome to the ranks of the retired firefighter.How do you keep track of those lifelong friends and associates you built over the years? How do you keep track of changes to you pension? There is no place in your Department or City where you can get advice or answers to questions. Being retired you are not even in your local union anymore. Your only remaining connection is with the Department of Retirement Systems in Olympia. They are mostly good folks but provide little in the way of resources and no connection back to you or your department.That is where the Retired Firefighters of Washington comes in to play. The Retired Firefighters of Washington was originally established in 1932 as the Retired Firemen’s Association, representing those members who retired under the “Prior Act”. In 1970, when the LEOFF Pension System was established, the organization changed its name to the current “Retired Firefighters of Washington” and is the only politically active organization dedicated to, and representing, the interest of all RETIRED Washington State firefighters. During the Legislative Session we spend countless hours lobbying on behalf of retired firefighters to protect and improve their pensions as they apply to the retired firefighter, their families, and their surviving spouses.Members of the RFFOW pay $45/year for membership. For that they get monthly meetings, the annual RFFOW Christmas Luncheon, our monthly newsletter, and an organization dedicated to the welfare of all retired Washington State firefighters and their families and, most importantly, the preservation of the pension you worked so hard, and for so many years, to receive.But wait, there is more! We maintain a web site so the members can stay up to date on friends and associates as well as what is going on in Olympia with the Legislature and with your pension. We work with, and stay in contact with, the numerous city and county Pension Boards statewide as a ready resource for the boards and their members. Unless you win the lottery or are a very astute investor you will probably count your pension as the major financial element in your retirement. However, the Legislature likes to “tweak” that pension on a regular basis. Right now LEOFF II members have some strong organizations that are working to protect and improve that system. But, they are union based and active member based organizations. The RFFOW tracks pension legislation, and works with the advocacy groups to keep its members current on things that can impact their pension. Additionally, the RFFOW’s mission is to represent not only the retiree, but the surviving spouse and families as well, in matters regarding the maintenance, protection, and/or improvement of their pension benefits.Finally, and as simple as it sounds, the RFFOW serves as a social venue to keep you in touch will all of those folks you worked with over the years of your career. New members are always amazed at the importance of this function and how rewarding it is to see these old faces from time to time.Right now most of us in the RFFOW are LEOFF I but we have reached that point in time when LEOFF II members have started to retire. Our organizations motto states: “For, about, and in Support of all Retired Washington State Firefighters.” In that regard, our organization is poised to shift its focus to deal with the new issues confronting our LEOFF II members. LEOFF I members have always been blessed with a Pension Board and Pension Office that could answer our questions and help keep us together. LEOFF II members do not have that resource. Hence it is doubly important that the RFFOW fills that gap.As you prepare to retire it is also time to join the RFFOW. For more information call or write Dick Warbrouck, 425-775-9080 (mwarbrouck@comcast.net (mailto:mwarbrouck@comcast.net)) or Bob Burtch, 425-226-3793 (rffow@comcast.net (mailto:rffow@comcast.net)). We will answer your questions and help you get signed up. You can also visit our website at www.rffow.org (http://www.rffow.org/) where you will find information about our organization as well as our membership application. We hope you’ll give us a try. You have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain with membership in the Retired Firefighters of Washington.The preceding article was edited, with permission, from an article originally written by Mr. Jerry Taylor, President of the Retired Seattle Police Officers Association and published in the “The Guardian,” the publication of the Seattle Police Officers Guild. News - Latest Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:15:29 +0100 http://www.rffow.org/rffow/content/view/57/2/ What to do when a death occurs:When a retiree dies it is important that someone contact the members Pension Board. Have the phone number available for the survivors. Hopefully the Pension Board will be able to assist the survivors with Pension issues and survivor benefits. Also, please notify the RFFOW so we can post the information in our newsletter and on the website. We can also provide you with information on how to get in touch with the Seattle FD Honor Guard that is available to participate in memorial services for Seattle retired members as well as those from other jurisdictions.AND DON‘T FORGET TO NOTIFY DRS:Whenever a death occurs in a family there are many important details, such as settling the estate, that the survivors must deal with. If a retiree dies and you are a family member or you are managing the estate of a retiree or beneficiary, or you are a retiree who’s beneficiary dies before you, it’s important that you contact DRS as soon as possible. . When you contact DRS, be ready to provide the deceased retiree's full name and Social Security Number. To contact DRS (Department of Retirement Systems) DRS Mailing Address PO Box 48380 Olympia, Washington 98504-8380 DRS Reception Center Phone: Department of Retirement Systems (360) 664-7000 or toll-free 1-800-547-6657TDD Line (for the hearing impaired): E-mail: recep@drs.wa.gov (360) 586-5450 or toll-free 1-866-377-8895 News - Latest Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:52:52 +0100 http://www.rffow.org/rffow/content/view/50/2/ It will soon be time for our Snowbirds to begin their annual migration south for the winter. PLEASE REMEMBER, that for you to continue receiving the monthly newsletter you must update your address and phone number with the RFFOW Secretary. Our Non-Profit mailing does not allow forwarding of mail.To update your address you can click on the Contact Us link along the upper left border, which will take you to the RFFOW contact page. There you will see email contact . Click that and you will find an email form that you can use to provide the necessary updates. That form is linked directly to the RFFOW Secretary. If not using email please use the RFFOW address and phone contact information provided to update your current address and phone number.Thanks News - Latest Sun, 31 Dec 2006 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.rffow.org/rffow/content/view/1/2/ Whether you're Prior Act, LEOFF I, LEOFF II, Federal or Private, the Retired Firefighters of Washington is for YOU!The Retired Firefighters of Washington is the only politically active organization dedicated to, and representing, the interest of all retired firefighters of Washington State and their families. Countless hours are spent in Olympia, on behalf of retired firefighters, working with our state's Representatives to maintain, secure, and improve our pensions as they apply to the retired firefighters, their families and surviving spouses. In addition to this serious work, The RFFOW provides a means for retired firefighters and their spouses to keep in touch with each other, pass along information and have some fun! We have monthly meetings, held on the 2nd Saturday of each month (except June, July August) where members have the opportunity to not only meet old friends, but to hear the latest regarding pension issues.So, if you're not already a member of the Retired Firefighters of Washington I encourage you to join. There is strength in numbers. We are already a powerfull voice in Olympia but the greater the numbers the louder the voice to be heard. To join, just click on the orange square panel to go to the membership application page. There you can print an application for you to complete. All the pertinent information regarding dues and the mailing address is on the application. News - Latest Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.rffow.org/rffow/content/view/49/2/ Compliments of the Walla Walla Fire Department News - Latest Sun, 31 Dec 2006 16:00:00 +0100