New Hampshire fire fighters secure historic pension restoration 

More than $200 million in long-awaited pension benefit restoration will be heading to New Hampshire fire fighters thanks to the relentless efforts of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire (PFFNH).  

Last week, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed legislation that included key provisions to restore pension benefits to Tier B Group II members. The bill now goes to the desk of Governor Kelly Ayotte (R), who is expected to sign it into law.  

The win is the culmination of a 14-year effort from the PFFNH, who fought tirelessly to restore Great Recession-era cuts to fire fighter pension benefits.  

“This is a landmark moment for our members. After years of work, I’m proud to say New Hampshire fire fighters will once again have a fair and dignified retirement,” PFFNH President Brian Ryll. “Restoring these benefits has been a top priority for us since 2011, and this victory shows what can be accomplished when fire fighters stay united and refuse to take no for an answer.” 

In 2011, more than 2,000 fire fighters and other public safety personnel saw their pension benefits cut as part of sweeping cost-saving measures enacted during the economic slowdown. These cuts left Group II members – those who had been hired after January 1, 2002 – with significantly reduced retirement benefits.   

Since then, the PFFNH has worked hard to educate lawmakers about the long-term consequences of these cuts, and the impact they’ve had on those who protect our communities.  

“The legislature’s pension cuts in 2011 devastated our New Hampshire members and made it incredibly difficult to recruit and retain enough fire fighters to properly protect our communities. But thanks to the dedication of President Ryll and his members, this decade-old nightmare is finally over,” said 3^rd District Vice President Jay Colbert.  

The PFFNH found new momentum on the issue with the election of Gov. Ayotte in 2024, who championed pension restoration for fire fighters on the campaign trail. Now in the office, she was determined to deliver for the state’s first responders. 

As the legislative session progressed, a restoration bill successfully passed through both the House and Senate Finance Committees. However, key provisions were later stripped out during negotiations in a Committee of Conference – threatening to derail the entire effort. 

With the end of the session approaching, Ayotte went against her own party to get the restoration over the finish line – even issuing a veto threat to the legislature’s budget if a fix to the longstanding issue wasn’t addressed.  

While many Republican lawmakers in the state legislature pushed back on the proposal, through the lobbying efforts of the PFFNH and the leadership from the governor’s office, the bill passed the House by a single vote, sending the bill to Ayotte’s desk.  

“Restoring these benefits will go a long way toward ensuring the people of New Hampshire receive the public safety protections they deserve,” said Colbert.  

Once signed, the legislation will restore $234.5 million in pension benefits for New Hampshire fire fighters, police officers, parole officers, and other Group II public servants.  

Ryll praised Ayotte for her efforts, acknowledging the key role she played in delivering on an issue so important to first responders across the state.  

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of Governor Ayotte. She stood shoulder to shoulder with us throughout the entire session, and her relentless commitment to seeing this long-overdue restoration through was critical,” he said.  

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor to strengthen public safety and support those who serve our communities.”