Pension fund reopens with precautions in place

The San Antonio Fire and Police Pension Fund announced it would open its office on March 2, 2021.

In a Facebook post with the announcement, they said “Precautionary measures will be in place, but members may visit as desired. If possible, the pension fund encourages members to continue use of phone and email communications with pension fund staff.”

The pension fund office is located at 11603 W Coker Loop, San Antonio, TX 78216.

You may call them at 210.534.3262 or email info@safppf.org and a staff member will work to address your needs and questions. 

13th check update

Retirees to receive performance distribution 13th check from pension fund

The San Antonio Fire and Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees on Feb. 24 voted to approve a performance distribution of a 13th check to its 2,858 pensioners.

Checks are being prepared for issuance on or about March 12.

The 13th check will be based on retirees regular pension received in December 2020.

For those who retired in 2020, the 13th check will be prorated based on the number of full months you were retired in 2020. These checks will include a one-time 22% withholding tax deduction and will not change your current monthly withholding tax deduction. No other deductions will be taken from checks.

The SAFPPF Board was allowed to consider issuance of the performance distribution because the pension fund’s 5-year average return was 9.26 percent. State law for the pension allows the Board to consider issuing a 13th check only when the 5-year average exceeds the 5-year average target rate, also known as the actuarial assumption rate of return, by 1 percent.

The 9.26 percent average return was 2.01 percent above the pension fund’s 7.25 percent target rate. This was due to the 10 percent return generated by the Fund’s investment committee and Board in 2020.

The pension fund posted the following graphic to their Facebook page.

Pension Fund extends closure through February 28, but services continue

The San Antonio Fire and Police Pension Fund last week announced it would keep its office closed through February in response to the pandemic in San Antonio.

Pension fund staff will be working remotely so that members may expect the same services as if they were open. The pension fund does not expect any delays in processing retirements, refunds or annuity payments.

Call at 210.534.3262 or email info@safppf.org and a staff member will work to address your needs and questions. 

Health Fund Board Member Henry Trevino Offers Updates

TO MEMBERS OF THE FIRE AND POLICE HEALTH FUND
JANUARY 1, 2020

I hope all our members made it through the New Year celebrations in good health, good spirits and ready to take on the New Year, 2021. We have always tackled the birth of New years with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. This year is going to be different. This past year has been a devasting year to say the least.

Thousands upon thousands of loved ones were lost throughout the world. Immeasurable hardships fell upon all of us during the whole 2020 year. Small and large businesses were lost, thousands of our friends and neighbors lost their homes and thousands were left with scars from the Coronavirus pandemic. We have lost much; we have a lot to remember about the suffering that befell upon us during the year 2020.

The next ensuing years are going to be very different. We have learned how to protect ourselves from the virus that caused such ravage and destruction. Yes, we have learned; for the next few years we will continue to watch our backs; probably we will continue to use our masks and we will continue to shun large crowds. The year 2020 has indeed changed us.

The American people are immensely resilient; we have gone through wars, and pandemics much worse than what we are suffering now. We will survive this tragedy; we will continue living and we will continue doing good for the rest of the world. We will assuredly come through this, but we will carry scars that we never had before.

It seems that a vaccine has been developed to contradict the Coronavirus epidemic. This is like coming out of our houses after a rainy storm. Let’s survey the damage; check the welfare of our families; our neighbors, especially the elderly and most of all volunteer yourself where you could be needed.

I know it has been very inconvenient not being able to go to the Fire and Police Health Fund clinics for physical exams and illnesses that have to be looked at. We are doing everything we can to help our members stay well and to continue our relationships with the clinics and the doctors. As soon as the Health Fund receives the Coronavirus vaccine and as soon as we get any information, we will immediately disseminate it to our members.

The year 2020 has been a year if inconvenience. The habits that we were so used to having have changed. Many of our members have been sequestered in our homes; going to the grocery store is frightening, our churches and synagogues are out of the question and seeing our grandchildren and loved ones has become very difficult.

This coming year will be a year of change. Be patient; things are going to change for the better. For now, our members should be physically active. You can go outside and walk around the block; if you have some bar bells, use them at home. Invite someone to walk with you; you will be doing good for yourself and for someone else.

If you want important information to help you maneuver through the last days of sickness or the death of a loved one, feel free to call me at any time: (210)-710-7378. You can also send me your email and I will send you important information on final preparations. htre2003@aol.com.

TIME AND HEALTH ARE TWO PRECIOUS ASSETS THAT WE DON’T RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN DEPLETED.

by Denis Waitley
Moral of the story: Our time on earth is a very precious gift that comes directly from God. The health of our body is also a gift from Almighty God. As we have received these gifts directly from our creator, we have a mandate that we must cherish and shelter what God has lent us. Our responsibility is to nourish, protect and exercise the beautiful gift from God.