Once you announce your retirement, you’ll receive information from the providers and administrators of your retirement benefits. Look for follow-up communications (mail and email) from the following organizations:

The Seattle Fire Department: Once you’ve notified the department of your intent to retire and provided the date of your last shift, you’ll receive the department’s Separation Packet. The packet includes:

• An information sheet with the next steps and key contacts
• Revocation of Computer Privileges upon Separation of Employment Form
• Return of Equipment Form
• Helmet(s) Receipt
• City of Seattle Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) Leave Conversion Authorization Form
• Ethics Considerations When Separating from City Service information sheet

The packet explains how to return your equipment, close out your department computer privileges, cash out your unused vacation and merit leave balances, and take advantage of other retirement benefits the city offers.

• Notify the city at least two weeks before your separation date if you want to receive your vacation and/or compensatory time (merit) cash-out directly or have it placed in your Deferred Compensation account. Use the DCP Leave Conversion Authorization form in the information packet to specify how you want your cash-out funds handled.
  
  The City of Seattle Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan receives notification about six weeks after your retirement. Once the plan receives your retirement notification, you can contact our plan representative, Sean Howard, at sean.howard@empower.com, for help withdrawing or rolling over funds in the plan.
  
• Contact the department’s Support Services Warehouse at 206-386-1531 before your last day to schedule an appointment to return your equipment.

The Seattle Fire Fighters HealthCare Trust (SFFHCT): At the beginning of your last month of active service, the SFFHCT will provide you with the following information:

• New Retiree Welcome Letter
• COBRA Rights Notice (if under 65)
• COBRA Election Notice (if under 65)
• Premium Payment Forms
  • Checking or Savings Account Withdrawal Form
  • WA State Department of Retiree Systems (DRS) Pension Withdrawal Form

If eligible, you will receive a separate packet containing the following information:

• Retirement Security Fund (RSF) FAQ
• Retirement Security Fund Guide
• Retirement Security Fund Eligible Expenses 

Contact the Trust Office if you have questions.

The Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP): When the department notifies the MERP administrator of a separation, the administrator will send a benefit packet within 14 days. The packet will provide you with information on the following:

• For those eligible for the monthly lifetime benefit:
  • Benefit Election Form
  • MERP COBRA notice
  • Claim Form
  • Direct Deposit Form
• For those not eligible to receive a monthly lifetime benefit (because they have less than five years of contributions):
  • Separation Letter
  • COBRA Form
  • Claim Form

The WA Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): After you notify the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) that you plan to retire, you’ll receive an acknowledgment letter. The letter summarizes the options you selected when you notified the DRS of your retirement. Review it carefully to ensure it’s accurate. It also lists the forms you must complete for DRS to process your retirement application.

If you applied online, you won’t receive this letter by mail. Instead, review the last page of your application and the emailed receipt to verify your retirement options and check whether additional documentation is needed.

The City of Seattle Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP): When you retire, you will not receive any documents from the City of Seattle Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan. However, you’re encouraged to contact Sean Howard, a local agent of the plan administrator, Empower. He can help you understand how to best use the funds you’ve accumulated in your DCP account. You can email Sean at sean.howard@empower.com. He is also available for in-person meetings at the downtown Seattle Empower office and for virtual visits. You can view his availability and schedule an appointment using Empower’s online scheduling tool.

Other Empower representatives are also available to assist you. Call toll-free at 844-457-4732 on weekdays from 5 am to 7 pm Pacific time (excluding most financial market holidays) and on Saturdays from 6 am to 2:30 pm Pacific time.