Apply for SVF Benefits

To be eligible for a retirement benefit, a firefighter must be at least 50 years old, have enough years of service to be vested, and be separated from active service for a minimum of 30 days.

Service Credits

Your fire chief reports your earned service to PERA each year. If you had any prior service as a volunteer firefighter, complete the SVF Prior Volunteer Firefighter Service Form and return to PERA.

Rollover

If you transfer your benefit to a tax qualified plan that accepts rollovers, your benefit will not be taxed at the time of the transfer. Your benefit will be mailed to you but issued to your tax-qualified plan.

Lump-Sum

If you choose a lump-sum payment you are subject to federal taxes and state taxes. 

To apply, send PERA the completed items:

1. Notarized SVF Retirement Application. Only applications with original ink signatures will be accepted.
2. (Optional) W-4R federal tax form and/or W-4MNP Minnesota state tax form. If you would like to withhold a tax amount other than the default, send the additional tax forms. Both forms are located on our Forms and Publications page.

If at any time you were divorced while working as a volunteer firefighter, send us your divorce decree.

• If you are awarded your entire SVF benefit: Send in a scan or photocopy of the entire decree
• If your SVF benefit is divided: Send in a certified copy of the decree

Refer to Divorce for more information.