Active-Retired Membership
Stay connected to the IAFF in retirement!
Retirement does not end our union’s work to protect the pensions, health care, occupational illness protections, and Social Security benefits that you earned over a career of service. Active-Retired membership keeps retirees connected to the IAFF, with continued access to union services, resources, and support.
How Active-Retired membership works
Delegates at the 58th IAFF Convention in 2026 adopted Resolution 24, which requires all affiliates to add an Active-Retiree membership designation to their Constitution & Bylaws within three years. The designation provides a path for IAFF members who retire or otherwise leave their Local in good standing to maintain union membership.
Each Local’s bylaws determine the eligibility, dues, and rights of Active-Retired members.
Contact your Local to learn whether it has established the designation and what steps you need to take to become an Active-Retired member.
Advocacy that continues into retirement
Decisions made in Congress and state legislatures can have a significant impact on retired members, from pension security and Social Security benefits to health care and occupational disease protections.
The IAFF continues to advocate for active and retired members at every level of government.
One of the most significant recent victories was the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The IAFF helped lead the decades-long effort to repeal these provisions, restoring an estimated $233 billion in Social Security benefits and increasing monthly benefits by as much as $587 for eligible retirees.
In Canada, IAFF advocacy led to the enactment of Bill C-224 and the establishment of the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting. The more than $12.29 million in secured funding from Health Canada supports research, data collection, and other measures to reduce cancer’s impact on those who have served in our profession.
The IAFF also continues to support legislation and policies that strengthen pension protections, health benefits, occupational illness coverage, and benefits for fire fighters and emergency medical workers and their families.
Recent victories for retired members
The IAFF continues to advance policies affecting retired members across the United States and Canada.
Recent victories include:
- WEP/GPO repeal: An estimated $233 billion in Social Security benefits restored, with eligible retirees receiving as much as $587 more per month.
- Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act: Expanded federal death benefits for fire fighters and emergency medical workers who die from occupational cancer, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2020.
- Combatting Occupational Cancer: Secured $12.29 million from Health Canada to support research and data collection to reduce fire fighter cancer rates.
- National Action Plan on PTSI: Successfully lobbied Canadian Parliament to implement a comprehensive federal plan to provide fire fighters and their families with mental health support.
- recent state wins: lowered state income taxes for retired fire fighters in maryland; expanded access to cancer insurance for retirees in Arizona; expanded health benefit coverage for retired fire fighters in Arkansas; increased the retiree health care subsidy in Kentucky; overturned a denied disability pension claim in rhode island.
Health resources
Occupational health risks do not end with your last call.
Cancer, behavioral health conditions, and other illnesses associated with a career in the fire service may emerge or continue after a member leaves the job.
Active-Retired members maintain access to IAFF health and behavioral health resources, including:
- IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery
Specialized treatment for IAFF members experiencing post-traumatic stress, substance use disorders, and other behavioral health conditions. - Medical Assistance Program (MAP)
Medical expertise and assistance for members navigating medical issues related to claims, appeals, depositions, hearings, and other proceedings. - Peer Support
Access to trained peers who understand the experiences and challenges associated with a career in the fire service.
Financial and family resources
Active-Retired members also maintain access to programs designed to support members and their families.
The IAFF Financial Corporation works with trusted partners to offer financial products and services for fire fighters, including insurance, mortgages, refinancing, and retirement plans.
Eligible retired members and their families may also receive assistance through IAFF Foundation programs, including disaster relief and scholarship programs.
Stay involved
Retired members remain an important part of the IAFF.
Active-Retired members receive International Fire Fighter magazine and remain eligible to attend IAFF events, including Convention and the Legislative Conference. Members can also continue to access IAFF education, information, and other resources.
Active-Retired membership provides a way to remain connected to the union and to fellow members after retirement.
Many IAFF benefits and services are available only to active and Active-Retired members. Contact your Local to learn whether you are eligible for Active-Retired membership and how to join.