New Members
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
Why Be an Active-Retired Member of the AFFI?
- The AFFI Legislative Committee ensures your pension is protected. Although the IL Supreme Court has ruled that your retirement benefits cannot be reduced, there is nothing that prevents the General Assembly from passing a constitutional amendment that would place the question on the ballot for voters to decide if the Constitution should be changed. Remember, most voters don’t have a pension…. and would love nothing more than to not have to pay for public employee pensions. That is why every election is important. We currently have a friendly House and Senate and Governor. One bad election, and that question is on the ballot.
- The Leg Committee is always preventing bills that would allow the state to tax your retirement pensions in Illinois. Public pensions today are state tax free. You do not pay one penny to the state from your Article 4 pension check today. We want to keep it that way.
- IARF can attend Leg Conference, Pension Seminar (at member cost, not non member) and any other events a member cost
- Being a member of AFFI keeps you up to date on political and legislative matters
- Ability to attend state fair with active members and work fire tent
- At the Federal level, we are aggressively working to remove the social security offset, providing medicare at 55 for first responders, healthcare tax credits
- It’s a small investment of annual dues to reap the significant benefits you earned as a firefighter
- The AFFI is your voice on these matters, otherwise- you only have yourself.
- Participate in AFFI functions like MDA Tailgate, bowling, political walks and fundraisers. Good comradery and ability to share many lessons learned to our younger generation.
