IAFF MERP Transition Announcement: New Plan Administrator Effective July 1, 2025

New Plan Administrator Effective July 1, 2025

After nearly a year of review, planning, and a thorough Request for Proposals (RFP) process, the IAFF MERP Board of Trustees (comprised of 13 active and retired IAFF members) has made the decision to transition plan administration services from Vimly Benefit Solutions to Benefit Programs Administration (BPA), effective July 1, 2025.

The IAFF MERP Trust committed to keeping members informed every step of the way. As the transition date approaches, more information will be provided with regular updates and more detailed instructions for both retirees and active participants.

Why the Change Is Being Made

This transition reflects the Board of Trustees’ commitment to ensuring the long-term success of the program and continually strengthening the experience for all IAFF MERP participants, especially our retirees, who frequently interact with the Trust administrator.

Vimly Benefit Solutions has been a valued partner since IAFF MERP’s inception in 1999, and the Trust appreciates their years of service and support. The decision to consider new administrative partners was approached with care and deliberation. The Trustees launched a formal RFP process, inviting five highly qualified third-party administrators, including Vimly, to participate. Following in-depth interviews and on-site visits with three finalists, the Board selected the organization that best aligned with IAFF MERP’s goals for the future.

The Trust continues to evolve with the needs of its members. The selected partner, Benefit Programs Administration (BPA), stood out for its strong commitment to service excellence, accurate reporting, and long-term support backed by modern systems and experienced staff.

Why BPA?

Following a rigorous RFP process, BPA was selected based on its:

• Extensive experience administering Retiree Medical Trusts since 2001 and a strong customer service culture, with proven accuracy in claims processing
• Collaborative internal operations, with more than 80% of staff working on-site to support complex plans like IAFF MERP
• Union-represented workforce, with more than half of employees being part of OPEIU Local 537 – aligning with our values and commitment to labor solidarity
• National presence, with offices in Los Angeles, CA, Mercer Island, WA, Spokane, WA, and the Washington, D.C. area. However, Trust operations will largely be based out of their Los Angeles office, where they administer several other Retiree Medical Trusts.

What You Can Expect

Transition activities are currently underway and will continue over the coming months. While no action is required at this time, we want to keep all of you—active members, retiree participants and employers—well informed.

To support clear and consistent communication throughout the process, a new Transition Hub page has been launched where you’ll find:

• The latest news and updates
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• A timeline of key milestones