NJ State Firmen's Association and 45 Age Limit

[JD1234]

This has been brought up in our department, and others have looked into it. Why is the age limit 45 years old, and why is there resistance by the state association to raising the limit. As one approaching the ripe old age of 45, many people in their 40's and 50's are in good shape, so what's the deal here?

[Bones42]

45 is the oldest someone can become a member of the State Association. I have had members older join my department and not care about being in the Association.

From what I have been told, the age of 45 had something to do with 20 years of service and mandatory retirement at 65. 65-20=45. I think, at one time, the age was 42 and was upped to 45.

[JD1234]

20 years of service? I'm thinking about 7 years of service to get the full death benefit and exempt status. What does the 20 years get you?

[Bones42]

20 years was for retirement. Remember, a large part of the driving force behind the State Association is paid departments.

[JD1234]

OK, I didn't realize that. Despite being a FF for more than 20 years (most of it in NJ), I know very little about the state association.

What would the problem be in making a different age for volunteers?

[Bones42]

Equality. Remember, we all do the same thing, just some are paid for it.

NJ tries to make it simple. 1 standard, period. No "paid" standards, no "volunteer" standards, just simple firefighter standards.

[JD1234]

Kind of a stupid system if it discriminates against able-bodied 45-60 year old men and women and they get no benefit. 20 plus years of being a firefighter, and the operations of the State Firemen's (sexist name) Association to many is a deep, dark secret. Sad.

[Bones42]

operations of the State Firemen's (sexist name) Association to many is a deep, dark secret

It's only a deep, dark secret if you don't get involved. Find out when your local Association meets and go. Become a delegate and go to the meetings in Wildwood.

Nothing is kept secret. It's all public information.

[ChiefKN]

the operations of the State Firemen's (sexist name) Association to many is a deep, dark secret. Sad.

It's not a sexist name, just an old name.

[Just a new name]

You have to work 25 years to retire.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

You have to work 25 years to retire.

You can retire at 20 years with 50%, no benefits. How do I know? I did it.

[Just a new name]

You can retire at 20 years with 50%, no benefits. How do I know? I did it.

I know you did.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I know you did.

Then how can you say you have to work 25 years to retire?

[Just a new name]

Your right, I misspoke. Most people work for 25. I forgot to add that you can leave at 20. It seems to me increasing in popularity.

[ChiefKN]

Your right, I misspoke. Most people work for 25. I forgot to add that you can leave at 20. It seems to me increasing in popularity.

I think that it depended on when you started. The old days it was 20 and out, and then it got upped...

There might also be some sort of differing levels of retirement pay/pension based on the extended years.

[Just a new name]

There is. 20 years = 50%, 25 years = 65% and 30 years = 70%. Only the State police have 20 and out.

There are people on my department that started in the early 80's. They have to work at least 25 the get 65% plus benefits.

[caren1]

I New Zealand there is no age limiit. On a different note, I am planning a visit to New Jersey at the beggining of Sept staying at Morristown, and would like to visit one of your fire stations, any chance ? Was operational on the trucks but now in Fire Safety/Fire investigation. Have a few patches if any one is interested.