Retirement Benefits for Firefighters
Shall the City amend the Charter to change how pension benefits are calculated for members of the Fire Department hired on or after January 7, 2012, by lowering the age these members can receive the highest pension from 58 to 55, and make those benefits the same as members hired before January 7, 2012?
This measure requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass.
Digest by the Ballot Simplification Committee
The Way It Is Now:
The City provides its employees with pension benefits through the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System (SFERS). Employees who meet age and service requirements receive pension payments upon retirement. Members of the Fire Department are eligible to retire at age 50 if they have at least five years of credit for City service.
A member’s pension generally increases with the member’s age, compensation and number of years worked. The pension is a percentage of the member’s final compensation at retirement. SFERS calculates that percentage based on the member’s age at retirement and their number of years of City service. No member of the Fire Department may receive a pension that is more than 90% of their final compensation.
Members of the Fire Department hired before January 7, 2012, could reach the 90% maximum percentage for their pension at age 55. Members hired on or after January 7, 2012, could reach that maximum three years later, at age 58.
The Proposal:
Proposition H would amend the Charter to change pension benefits for members of the Fire Department hired on or after January 7, 2012. Proposition H would lower from 58 to 55 the age at which these members can obtain the highest pension based on age. These changes would make pension benefits for members hired on and after January 7, 2012, the same as benefits for members hired before January 7, 2012.
A "YES" Vote Means: If you vote "yes," you want to amend the Charter to change how pension benefits are calculated for members of the Fire Department hired on or after January 7, 2012, by lowering the age these members can receive the highest pension from 58 to 55, and make those benefits the same as members hired before January 7, 2012.
A "NO" Vote Means: If you vote "no," you do not want to make these changes.
Controller's Statement on "H"
City Controller Greg Wagner has issued the following statement on the fiscal impact of Proposition H:
Should the proposed Charter amendment be approved by the voters, in my opinion, it would have a significant impact on the cost of government. Based on the Retirement System’s current actuarial assumptions and policies, the amendment would increase costs to the City starting at approximately $3.7 million in fiscal year 2025-26 and increasing every year through fiscal year 2040-2041.
The proposed Charter amendment would align the retirement benefits calculations for those becoming firefighters after January 7, 2012 with those who became firefighters before that date. The amendment specifies that those hired before January 7, 2012 will qualify for higher retirement benefits at younger ages than under current rules. The amendment lowers the age of retirement at which firefighters would receive the highest potential pension from 58 to 55 for this cohort of firefighters. For context, of the firefighters hired after January 7, 2012, currently approximately 4% (approximately 50 firefighters) are older than 50 years of age.
The estimated cost in the first year is approximately $3.7 million, with costs increasing through year 16 due to higher employer retirement contributions paid by the City. This cost does not include the potential need to hire more new firefighters as older firefighters are newly incentivized to retire earlier. For context, the current cost to hire and train a new firefighter is approximately $115,000, including the costs for the academy, background and medical checks, personal protective equipment, and uniforms.
This Charter amendment amends voter-approved Charter amendments from June 2010 and November 2011 on pension reform.
How "H" Got on the Ballot
On July 30, 2024, the Board of Supervisors voted 10 to 0 to place Proposition H on the ballot. The Supervisors voted as follows:
Yes: Chan, Dorsey, Engardio, Mandelman, Melgar, Peskin, Preston, Ronen, Safai, Stefani.
No: None.
Excused: Walton.
The above statement is an impartial analysis of this measure. Arguments for and against this measure immediately follow. The full text can be found under Legal Text. Some of the words used in the ballot digest are explained in Words You Need to Know.
Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are printed as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.
Proponent’s Argument in Favor of Proposition H
It’s a fact: Cancer is the leading cause of occupational death among firefighters. Firefighters have a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population. Since 2006, over 300 active and retired San Francisco firefighters have died because of cancer. More than 160 have been diagnosed with cancer in the past six years alone. Most diagnoses occurred in firefighters over 50, shining a bright light on the increased risk that comes with age.
Firefighting is among the most dangerous and physically and mentally demanding professions. The daily demands of the job, combined with hazardous exposure to PFAS (Forever Chemicals) and toxic chemicals, smoke, and fumes, put severe strain on firefighters, especially those who work until the retirement age of 58. This prolonged exposure contributes to mental health problems, cardiac issues, chronic health conditions, and job-related cancers, which only worsen with age and impact the lives of firefighters and their families.
Prop H would allow San Francisco’s firefighters to cut their cancer risk by retiring at age 55.
Currently, San Francisco’s firefighters face inequitable retirement ages. Firefighters hired before 2012 can retire at 55 while those hired after must wait until 58. Prop H would standardize the retirement age for all firefighters, ensuring fairness for everyone who performs the same life-threatening job.
Earlier retirement will also help reduce rising workers' compensation costs driven by firefighters’ chronic health problems and injuries, enabling the city to free up resources to make the retirement age equitable for all firefighters.
It’s time to save the lives of the firefighters who save lives in our community every day. Prop H is a crucial step toward protecting our firefighters from cancer and delivering fair and equitable retirement benefits for all of San Francisco’s bravest.
Supervisor Catherine Stefani
Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin
Supervisor Connie Chan
Supervisor Matt Dorsey
Supervisor Joel Engardio
Supervisor Myrna Melgar
Supervisor Ahsha Safai
San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 Secretary Adam Wood
Rebuttal to Proponent’s Argument in Favor of Proposition H
The proponents' argument for Proposition H cites a higher risk for cancer among firefighters that's been known for years, but fails to make the case for giving them even higher pensions when they're already better compensated than their peers.
San Francisco firefighters are the highest-paid in the Bay Area, and work the fewest hours, according to a 2023 survey of 13 jurisdictions in which the average annual firefighter salary was $127,654, compared with $136,656 in San Francisco.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, so clearly not all cancers among current or former firefighters are work-related. According to national data, only 4% of incidents to which firefighters are called involve fires; most are medical emergencies.
The statement that "those hired after must wait until 58" to retire is misleading at best. Clearly firefighters can retire earlier if they choose, and there's nothing unfair about their current retirement eligibility dates. Those hired in 2012 or later were informed about the pension rules as they now stand.
Supervisors carrying water for the powerful firefighters union are pushing a measure that would create more inequality. This attempt to undo an important reform passed by voters would make the pension system more unsustainable again, jeopardizing the pensions of future retirees and increasing current and future tax burdens.
Everyone loves firefighters, but there's no reason to exempt them from pension rules covering all city employees. Proposition H is a disservice to future workers and the public. Vote No.
Libertarian Party of San Francisco
LPSF.org
Opponent's Argument Against Proposition H
Firefighters have risky jobs with lengthy shifts. When they put themselves at great risk to help others, they truly are heroes. They voluntarily chose this career field despite the risks.
San Francisco firefighters hired after Jan 6, 2012 also were made aware of the new full pension retirement age of 58 (it was previously 55). The modification to the pension age was needed due to decades of fiscal mismanagement by the city government. By increasing employee contribution rates for hires after that date, voters were protecting firefighters pensions. Expenses needed to be trimmed. San Francisco avoided bankruptcy during the 2008 to 2012 bust cycle. Other cities in California were not so lucky – the state experienced multiple municipal bankruptcies.
Now, politicians are putting forth a ballot measure to overturn voters' prudent action. Why? The ballot measure claims "the financial outlook of the San Francisco Employees Retirement System has improved significantly". During a boom cycle this might be true, yet there seems to be a lack of planning for the next bust. The boom/bust cycle won't end as long as government meddling in the monetary system prevents natural market corrections from occurring. Kind of like how "no burn" forest management rules heighten the eventual risk of devastating fires.
Let's vote no on this ballot measure and have a proactive city government that protects itself against future bankruptcy while not increasing the tax burden upon its citizens. Better to explore ways to protect firefighters and reward them for their heroic service which do not increase unsustainable future spending obligations.
Vote NO on Proposition H.
Libertarian Party of San Francisco
LPSF.org
Rebuttal to Opponent’s Argument Against Proposition H
Shame on the extreme Libertarian Party — or anyone — who suggests firefighters “choose” to contract or to die from cancer.
Firefighters chose their career knowing that they might have to risk their lives to save others. They did not know that they also faced the risk of occupational cancer which would cut their lives short or follow them long into retirement.
In the past few years, critical new studies have come to light that prove firefighters face dramatically heightened odds of contracting cancer the longer they work in their life-threatening jobs.
Fact: Cancer is the leading cause of occupational death among firefighters, with those over 50 being particularly vulnerable. Firefighters have a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the rest of us.
The current retirement age forces many of them to continue working in hazardous conditions, increasing their risk of developing cancer and other chronic health issues.
Fact: Currently, San Francisco’s firefighters face inequitable retirement ages. Firefighters hired before 2012 can retire at 55 while those hired after must wait until 58.
Prop H would once again standardize the retirement age for all firefighters, ensuring fairness for everyone who performs the same life-threatening job.
Prop H is a practical solution that helps every firefighter reduce their cancer risk by retiring at the 2012 age limit cutting their exposure to dangerous toxins.
This is our opportunity to be heroes for the heroes who protect San Francisco families.
Vote Yes on Prop H.
Supervisor Catherine Stefani
Supervisor Connie Chan
Paid Arguments in Favor of Proposition H
1
As an SFFD firefighter who survived cancer, I know firsthand that firefighters get cancer at 2-3x the rate of the rest of us. Because firefighting is more than just physically and mentally demanding—it’s dangerous in ways most people don’t see. We run into burning buildings, and everyday face exposure to toxic carcinogens like smoke, fumes and hazardous materials that accumulate in our bodies over time, often leading to life-threatening illnesses, including cancer.
Cancer is the leading cause of occupational death among firefighters. Since 2006, over 300 active and retired San Francisco firefighters have died from cancer. More than 160 of my SFFD colleagues have been diagnosed with cancer in just the past six years. Most of these diagnoses happen after age 50, highlighting how our risk only grows the longer we stay on the job.
Prop H will save lives. It allows firefighters to reduce their exposure to these deadly risks by retiring at age 55.
Today, the system is dangerously unfair —those hired before 2012 can retire at 55, while those hired after must wait until they are 58. Prop H corrects this inequity, ensuring all of us have the same opportunity to protect our health.
By bringing firefighter retirement age back to the 2012 level, we can reduce the city’s rising workers' compensation costs, freeing up resources to make the retirement age fair for all.
Prop H helps save the lives of the firefighters who risk it all every day to keep our community safe. Please vote Yes on H and save firefighter lives.
John Maguire
The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Yes on H for Firefighter Health and Safety, SF Firefighters Local 798.
2
As longtime San Franciscans, we are deeply concerned about the health and safety of our firefighters.
In the past few years, new studies have come to light that prove firefighters face dramatically heightened odds of contracting cancer the longer they work their life-threatening jobs. They don’t just face fires—they're exposed to PFAS (Forever Chemicals), toxic chemicals, smoke, and fumes. Cancer is the leading cause of occupational death among firefighters, who face a 14% higher risk of dying from the disease than the general population.
Since 2006, over 300 active and retired San Francisco firefighters have lost their lives to cancer. More than 160 have been diagnosed in the past six years. The majority of these diagnoses occurred in firefighters over 50, underscoring the heightened risks they face the longer they stay on the job.
Prop H will save the lives of firefighters by adjusting the retirement age back to the voter-approved 2012 retirement age of 55.
What’s more, there's an unfair disparity in retirement ages among firefighters -- those hired before 2012 can retire at 55, but those hired after must wait until 58. Prop H will correct this inequity by standardizing the retirement age, ensuring all firefighters have the same opportunity to protect their health.
Prop H is crucial for safeguarding the health of our firefighters, protecting them from increased exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, and ensuring they receive the fair and equitable retirement benefits they deserve.
On Nov 5, vote yes on H.
Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer*
Alan Wong, City College Board President*
Stanley Lee, President Asian Firefighters Association*
*For identification purposes only; author is signing as an individual and not on behalf of an organization.
The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Yes on H for Firefighter Health and Safety, SF Firefighters Local 798.
The three largest contributors to the true source recipient committee: 1. San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 PAC, 2. United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 - Issues Committee, 3. San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 - General Fund.
3
As a former Fire Department Physician, I have witnessed the devastating impact that cancer has on SF firefighters and their families. It’s a well-established fact that cancer is the leading cause of occupational death among SF’s bravest. Firefighters die from cancer at a 14% higher rate than the general population, mostly because of their repeated exposure to toxic chemicals, smoke, and hazardous substances like PFAS (forever chemicals). Since 2006, over 300 active and retired San Francisco firefighters have died of cancer, with more than 160 firefighters diagnosed with this killer disease in the past six years alone. The majority of these diagnoses occur after age 50, underscoring the increased risk faced by aging firefighters.
Firefighting is one of the most physically and mentally taxing professions on earth. The daily demands of the job, combined with prolonged exposure to poisonous carcinogens, put firefighters at heightened risk for other illnesses like mental health issues, cardiac problems, and chronic health conditions. As these issues worsen with age, it’s imperative that we take steps to protect those who protect us.
Bottom line? Prop H will save lives by allowing firefighters to reduce their cancer risk by retiring at age 55 instead of 58.
Prop H also addresses a significant inequity in the current system where those hired before 2012 can retire at 55, but those hired after must wait until they turn 58. By standardizing the retirement age, Prop H ensures fairness for all firefighters, regardless of their hire date.
Supporting Prop H is about saving lives and righting a wrong in the current system. Earlier retirement will reduce the long-term health risks faced by firefighters, curb rising workers' compensation costs, and ensure retirement age equity for all.
I urge you to vote Yes on Prop H and be a hero for SF’s heroes.
Jennifer Brokaw, MD
The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Yes on H for Firefighter Health and Safety, SF Firefighters Local 798.
The three largest contributors to the true source recipient committee: 1. San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 PAC, 2. United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 - Issues Committee, 3. San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 - General Fund.
Paid Arguments Against Proposition H
No Paid Arguments Against Proposition H Were Submitted
Legal Text
Proposition “Retirement Benefits for Firefighters”
Describing and setting forth a proposal to the voters at an election to be held on November 5, 2024, to amend the Charter of the City and County of San Francisco to change the age factor percentage for benefit calculations such that persons who have or will become members of the Fire Department on and after January 7, 2012 reach a higher age factor percentage at earlier ages and lower from 58 to 55 the retirement age at which persons who have or will become members of the Fire Department on and after January 7, 2012 reach the highest age factor percentage.
Section 1. Findings.
(b) Proposition C amended the Charter to increase pension contribution rates for employees hired on and after January 7, 2012. In addition, it raised the retirement ages for which members of the Fire Department hired on and after January 7, 2012 receive the highest percentage for each year of credited service for retirement benefit calculations and raised the age at which employees reach the highest percentage from age 55 to 58.
(c) In the more than 12 years since this pension reform, the financial outlook of the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System has improved significantly.
(d) Members of the Fire Department uniquely face both short- and long-term health
complications as a result of their occupation. The City relies on our firefighters to be the first responders to a plethora of dangerous circumstances, most notably active fires but also many other instances of trauma or tragedy. Beyond these immediate high-risk threats, the conditions that City firefighters endure have demonstrably increased their risk of adverse long-term health impacts. According to the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation, San Francisco’s female firefighters have a rate of breast cancer that is six times higher than the national average, and over the past 20 years, the Fire Department has lost more than 300 firefighters to cancer. Furthermore, national research shows that firefighters experience higher rates of behavioral health issues than the general public. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, 20% of firefighters and paramedics meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress at some point during their careers, while the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation reports that the suicide rate for firefighters is higher than the rate for the general public.
(e) Additionally, the Fire Department has few positions that are not directly in the field, meaning that members of the Fire Department are asked to enter active fires and other dangerous circumstances regardless of their age. In 2024, only approximately 180 out of 1800 positions in the San Francisco Fire Department are not “in the field” or on frontline service delivery, and these jobs are dependent on promotions, not seniority of employee tenure. As a result, the risk of severe injury and health complications is further heightened for members of the Fire Department over age 55, as demonstrated by data from the Department of Human Resources that show a positive correlation between increased age, number of injuries, and workers’
compensation claim costs.
(f) This Charter amendment aims to recognize the distinctive and brave work of the members of the Fire Department and to lessen the adverse health impacts firefighters experience. By allowing members of the Fire Department to retire with up to 90% of their final compensation at age 55 while maintaining the increased contribution rates for employees imposed by Proposition C in 2011, the City simultaneously accomplishes these important goals. In doing so, the City ensures that our firefighters can enter retirement with financial security without facing an additional three years of potential health risks.
Section 2. The Board of Supervisors hereby submits to the qualified voters of the City and County, at an election to be held on November 5, 2024, a proposal to amend the Charter of the City and County by revising Sections A8.604, A8.604-1, and A8.604-2, and adding Section A8.604-17, to read as follows:
NOTE: Unchanged Charter text and uncodified text are in plain font.
Additions are single-underline italics Times New Roman font.
Deletions are strike-through italics Times New Roman font.
Asterisks (* * * *) indicate the omission of unchanged Charter subsections.
A8.604 MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON AND AFTER JANUARY 7, 2012
Persons who become members of the fire department, as defined in Section A8.604-1, on and after January 7, 2012, shall be members of the Retirement System subject to the provisions of Sections A8.604 through A8.604-176 in addition to such other applicable provisions of this Charter, including but not limited to Sections 12.100 and A8.500.
A8.604-1 DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases as used in this Section, Section A8.604, and Sections A8.604-2 through A8.604-176, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, shall have the following meanings:
"Retirement allowance," "death allowance," or "allowance," shall mean equal monthly payments, beginning to accrue upon the date of retirement, or upon the day following the date of death, as the case may be, and continuing for life unless a different term of payment is definitely provided by the context.
"Compensation," as distinguished from benefits under the Workers' Compensation laws of the State of California shall mean all remuneration whether in cash or by other allowances made by the City and County, for service qualifying for credit under this Section, but excluding remuneration for overtime and such other forms of compensation excluded by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Section A8.500 of the Charter. Remuneration shall not mean new premiums or allowances first paid by the City and County after January 7, 2012, that exceed the rate of pay fixed for each classification for service qualifying for credit under this Section. For members with concurrent service in more than one position, "compensation" shall be limited to the first hours paid during any fiscal year equal to one full-time equivalent position. "Compensation" for any fiscal year shall not include remuneration that exceeds 75% of the limits set forth in Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17) and as amended from time to time.
Subject to the requirements that it be payable in cash, and that overtime and new premiums or allowances first paid by the City and County after January 7, 2012 are excluded, "compensation" for pension purposes may be defined in a collective bargaining agreement.
"Compensation earnable" shall mean the compensation which would have been earned had the member received compensation without interruption throughout the period under consideration and at the rates of remuneration attached at that time to the ranks or positions held by him or her the member during such period, it being assumed that during any absence, he or she the member was in the rank or position held by him or her the member at the beginning of the absence, and that prior to becoming a member of the fire department, he or she the member was in the rank or position first held by him or her the member in such department.
"Benefit" shall include "allowance," "retirement allowance," "death allowance" and "death benefit."
"Final compensation" shall mean the average monthly compensation earned by a member during the higher of any three consecutive fiscal years of earnings or the thirty six consecutive months of earnings immediately prior to retirement.
For the purpose of Sections A8.604 through A8.604-176, the terms "member of the fire department," "member of the department," or "member" shall mean any member of the fire department employed on and after January 7, 2012, who was or shall be subject to the Charter provisions governing entrance requirements of members of the uniformed force of said department and said terms shall further mean persons employed on and after January 7, 2012, at an age not greater than the maximum age then prescribed for entrance into employment in said
uniformed force, to perform duties now performed under the titles of pilot of fireboats, or marine engineer of fireboats; provided, however, that said terms shall not include any person who has not satisfactorily completed such course of training as may be required by the fire department prior to assignment to active duty with said department.
“Qualified for service retirement," "qualification for service retirement," or "qualified as to age and service for retirement," as used in this Section and other Sections to which persons who are members under Section A8.604 are subject, shall mean completion of 25 years of service and attainment of age 50, said service to be computed under Section A8.604-10.
"Retirement System" or "system" shall mean San Francisco City and County Employees' Retirement System as created in Sections 12.100 and A8.500 of the Charter.
"Retirement Board" shall mean "Retirement Board" as created in Section 12.100 of the Charter.
"Charter" shall mean the Charter of the City and County of San Francisco.
* * * *
"Interest" shall mean interest at the rate adopted by the Retirement Board.
A8.604-2 SERVICE RETIREMENT
Any member of the fire department, who completes at least five years of service in the aggregate and attains the age of fifty (50) years, said service to be computed under Section A8.604-10, may retire for service at his or her the member’s option. A member retired after meeting the service and age requirements in the preceding sentence, shall receive a retirement allowance equal to the percent of final compensation (as defined in Section A8.604-1) set forth below opposite his or her the member’s age at retirement, taken to the preceding completed quarter year, for each year of service, as computed under Section A8.604-10:
|
|
| Age at Retirement | Percent for Each Year of Credited Service |
|
50 50.25 |
2.400 2.430 |
| 50.5 | 2.460 |
| 50.75 | 2.490 |
| 51 | 2.520 |
| 51.25 | 2.550 |
| 51.5 | 2.580 |
| 51.75 | 2.610 |
| 52 | 2.640 |
| 52.25 | 2.670 |
| 52.5 | 2.700 |
| 52.75 | 2.730 |
| 53 | 2.760 |
| 53.25 | 2.790 |
| 53.5 | 2.820 |
| 53.75 | 2.850 |
| 54 | 2.880 |
| 54.25 | 2.910 |
| 54.5 | 2.940 |
| 54.75 | 2.970 |
| 55+ | 3.000 |
In no event shall a member’s initial retirement allowance exceed 90%ninety percent of his or her the member’s average final compensation.
A8.604-17 APPLICABILITY
The amendment to Sections A8.604-1 and A8-604-2, effective January 1, 2025, shall not apply to any member of the Retirement System who separated from service, retired, or died before that date, or to that member’s continuant.