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.

Rollover

If you transfer your refund to a tax qualified plan that accepts rollovers, your refund will not be taxed at the time of the transfer. Your refund 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. If you are under age 59 ½, you will also pay a 10% federal early withdrawal additional income tax, unless an exception applies.

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.

Note: If at any time you were divorced while working as a volunteer firefighter, send the entire copy of your divorce decree(s) with your application.