reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.030 - Meetings.

RCW 41.16.030
Meetings.
The board shall meet at least once quarterly, the date to be fixed by regulation of the board, at such other regular times as may be fixed by a regulation of the board; and at any time upon call of the chairperson, of which due advance notice shall be given the other members of the board.
[ 2007 c 218 § 20; 2002 c 15 § 1; 1947 c 91 § 3; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-42. Prior: 1929 c 86 § 1; 1919 c 196 § 3; 1909 c 50 § 3.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.050 - Firefighters' pension fund—How constituted.

RCW 41.16.050
Firefighters' pension fund—How constituted.
There is hereby created and established in the treasury of each municipality a fund which shall be known and designated as the firefighters' pension fund, which shall consist of: (1) All bequests, fees, gifts, emoluments, or donations given or paid thereto; (2) twenty-five percent of all moneys received by the state from taxes on fire insurance premiums; (3) taxes paid pursuant to the provisions of RCW 41.16.060; (4) interest on the investments of the fund; and (5) contributions by firefighters as provided for herein. The moneys received from the tax on fire insurance premiums under the provisions of this chapter shall be distributed in the proportion that the number of paid firefighters in the city, town, or fire protection district bears to the total number of paid firefighters throughout the state to be ascertained in the following manner: The secretary of the firefighters' pension board of each city, town, and fire protection district now or hereafter coming under the provisions of this chapter shall within thirty days after June 7, 1961, and on or before the fifteenth day of January thereafter, certify to the state treasurer the number of paid firefighters in the fire department in such city, town, or fire protection district. For any city or town annexed by a fire protection district at any time before, on, or after June 9, 1994, the city or town shall continue to certify to the state treasurer the number of paid firefighters in the city or town fire department immediately before annexation until all obligations against the firefighters' pension fund in the city or town have been satisfied. For the purposes of the calculation in this section, the state treasurer shall subtract the number certified by the annexed city or town from the number of paid firefighters certified by an annexing fire protection district. The state treasurer shall on or before the first day of June of each year deliver to the treasurer of each city, town, and fire protection district coming under the provisions of this chapter his or her warrant, payable to each city, town, or fire protection district for the amount due such city, town or fire protection district ascertained as herein provided and the treasurer of each such city, town, or fire protection district shall place the amount thereof to the credit of the firefighters' pension fund of such city, town, or fire protection district.
[ 2007 c 218 § 22; 1999 c 117 § 3; 1994 c 273 § 23; 1986 c 296 § 3; 1982 1st ex.s. c 35 § 16; 1967 c 42 § 1; 1961 c 255 § 8; 1949 c 45 § 1; 1947 c 91 § 5; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 9578-44. Prior: 1929 c 86 § 11; 1919 c 196 § 14.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—Effective date—1986 c 296: See notes following RCW 48.14.020.
Severability—Effective dates—1982 1st ex.s. c 35: See notes following RCW 82.08.020.
Insurance premiums taxes: RCW 48.14.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.070 - Contributions by firefighters.

RCW 41.16.070
Contributions by firefighters.
(1) Every firefighter employed on and after January 1, 1947, shall contribute to the fund and there shall be deducted from his or her pay and placed in the fund an amount in accordance with the following table:
Firefighter whose
age at last birthday
Contributions and
at time of entry
deductions from
of service was:
salary
21
and under. . . .
5.00%
22
. . . .
5.24%
23
. . . .
5.50%
24
. . . .
5.77%
25
. . . .
6.07%
26
. . . .
6.38%
27
. . . .
6.72%
28
. . . .
7.09%
29
. . . .
7.49%
30
and over. . . .
7.92%
(2) Every firefighter employed prior to January 1, 1947, and continuing active employment shall contribute to the fund and there shall be deducted from his or her salary and placed in the fund, five percent of his or her salary.
(3) Every firefighter actively employed and eligible for retirement and not retired shall contribute to the fund and there shall be deducted from his or her salary and placed in the fund, four percent of his or her salary.
[ 2007 c 218 § 23; 1947 c 91 § 7; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-46. Prior: 1929 c 86 § 14; 1919 c 196 § 18.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.080 - Retirement for service.

RCW 41.16.080
Retirement for service.
Any firefighter employed in a fire department on and before the first day of January, 1947, hereinafter in this section and RCW 41.16.090 to 41.16.190 inclusive, referred to as "firefighter," and who shall have served twenty-five or more years and having attained the age of fifty-five years, as a member of the fire department, shall be eligible for retirement and shall be retired by the board upon his or her written request. Upon his or her retirement any firefighter shall be paid a pension based upon the average monthly salary drawn for the five calendar years before retirement, the number of years of his or her service and a percentage factor based upon his or her age on entering service, as follows:
Entrance age at
Salary
last birthday
percentage factor
20
and under. . . .
1.50%
21
. . . .
1.55%
22
. . . .
1.60%
23
. . . .
1.65%
24
. . . .
1.70%
25
. . . .
1.75%
26
. . . .
1.80%
27
. . . .
1.85%
28
. . . .
1.90%
29
. . . .
1.95%
30
and over. . . .
2.00%
Said monthly pension shall be in the amount of his or her average monthly salary for the five calendar years before retirement, times the number of years of service, times the applicable percentage factor.
[ 2007 c 218 § 24; 1959 c 5 § 2; 1957 c 82 § 2. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 2, part; 1929 c 86 § 2, part; 1919 c 196 § 4, part; 1909 c 50 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.090 - Limit of pension.

RCW 41.16.090
Limit of pension.
All pensioners receiving a pension under the provisions of this chapter as provided for in section 12, chapter 91, Laws of 1947 and RCW 41.16.230, shall from and after April 25, 1973 receive a minimum pension of three hundred dollars per month.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 181 § 1; 1967 ex.s. c 91 § 2; 1959 c 5 § 3; 1957 c 82 § 3. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 2, part; 1929 c 86 § 2, part; 1919 c 196 § 4, part; 1909 c 50 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.100 - Payment on death of retired firefighter.

RCW 41.16.100
Payment on death of retired firefighter.
The widow or widower, child, children or beneficiary of any firefighter retired under this chapter shall receive an amount equal to his or her accumulated contributions to the fund, plus earned interest thereon compounded semiannually: PROVIDED, That there shall be deducted from said sum the amount paid to decedent in pensions and the remainder shall be paid to his or her widow or widower, child, children or beneficiary: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the amount paid shall not be less than one thousand dollars.
[ 2007 c 218 § 25; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 62; 1959 c 5 § 4; 1957 c 82 § 4. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 2, part; 1929 c 86 § 2, part; 1919 c 196 § 4, part; 1909 c 50 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.110 - Payment on death of eligible pensioner before retirement.

RCW 41.16.110
Payment on death of eligible pensioner before retirement.
Whenever any firefighter shall die while eligible to retirement on account of years of service, and shall not have been retired, benefits shall be paid in accordance with RCW 41.16.100.
[ 2007 c 218 § 26; 1959 c 5 § 5; 1957 c 82 § 5. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 2, part; 1929 c 86 § 2, part; 1919 c 196 § 4, part; 1909 c 50 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.120 - Payment on death in line of duty.

RCW 41.16.120
Payment on death in line of duty.
Whenever any active firefighter or firefighter retired for disability shall die as the result of an accident or other fortuitous event occurring while in the performance of his or her duty, his widow or her widower may elect to accept a monthly pension equal to one-half the deceased firefighter's salary but in no case in excess of one hundred fifty dollars per month, or the sum of five thousand dollars cash. The right of election must be exercised within sixty days of the firefighter's death. If not so exercised, the pension benefits shall become fixed and shall be paid from the date of death. Such pension shall cease if, and when, he or she remarries. If there is no widow or widower, then such pension benefits shall be paid to his or her child or children.
[ 2007 c 218 § 27; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 63; 1959 c 5 § 6; 1957 c 82 § 6. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 2, part; 1929 c 86 § 2, part; 1919 c 196 § 5, part; 1909 c 50 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.130 - Payment upon disablement in line of duty.

RCW 41.16.130
Payment upon disablement in line of duty.
(1) Any firefighter who shall become disabled as a result of the performance of his or her duty or duties as defined in this chapter, may be retired at the expiration of six months from the date of his or her disability, upon his or her written request filed with his or her retirement board. The board may upon such request being filed, consult such medical advice as it sees fit, and may have the applicant examined by such physicians as it deems desirable. If from the reports of such physicians the board finds the applicant capable of performing his or her duties in the fire department, the board may refuse to recommend his or her retirement.
(2) If the board deems it for the good of the fire department or the pension fund, it may recommend the applicant's retirement without any request therefor by him or her, after giving him or her a thirty days' notice. Upon his or her retirement he or she shall be paid a monthly disability pension in [an] amount equal to one-half of his or her monthly salary at date of retirement, but which shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars a month. If he or she recovers from his or her disability he or she shall thereupon be restored to active service, with the same rank he or she held when he or she retired.
(3) If the firefighter dies during disability and not as a result thereof, RCW 41.16.160 shall apply.
[ 2007 c 218 § 28; 1959 c 5 § 7; 1957 c 82 § 7. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 3, part; 1929 c 86 § 3, part; 1919 c 196 § 5, part; 1909 c 50 § 5, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.140 - Payment upon disablement not in line of duty.

RCW 41.16.140
Payment upon disablement not in line of duty.
Any firefighter who has served more than fifteen years and sustains a disability not in the performance of his or her duty which renders him or her unable to continue his or her service, shall within sixty days exercise his or her choice either to receive his or her contribution to the fund, plus earned interest compounded semiannually, or be retired and paid a monthly pension based on the factor of his or her age shown in RCW 41.16.080, times his or her average monthly salary as a member of the fire department of his or her municipality at the date of his or her retirement, times the number of years of service rendered at the time he or she sustained such disability. If such firefighter shall die leaving surviving him a wife or surviving her a husband, or child or children, then such wife or husband, or if he leaves no wife or she leaves no husband, then his or her child or children shall receive the sum of his or her contributions, plus accumulated compound interest, and such payment shall be reduced in the amount of the payments made to deceased.
[ 2007 c 218 § 29; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 64; 1959 c 5 § 8; 1957 c 82 § 8. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 6, part; 1929 c 86 § 7, part; 1919 c 196 § 9, part; 1909 c 50 § 9, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.145 - Annual increase in benefits payable on retirement for service, death in line of duty, and disability—Appeals.

RCW 41.16.145
Annual increase in benefits payable on retirement for service, death in line of duty, and disability—Appeals.
The amount of all benefits payable under the provisions of RCW 41.16.080, 41.16.120, 41.16.130, 41.16.140 and 41.16.230 shall be increased annually as hereafter in this section provided. The local pension board shall meet subsequent to March 31st but prior to June 30th of each year for the purposes of adjusting benefit allowances payable pursuant to the aforementioned sections. The local board shall determine the increase in the consumer price index between January 1st and December 31st of the previous year and increase in dollar amount the benefits payable subsequent to July 1st of the year in which said board makes such determination by a dollar amount proportionate to the increase in the consumer price index: PROVIDED, That regardless of the change in the consumer price index, such increase shall be at least two percent each year such adjustment is made.
Each year effective with the July payment all benefits specified herein, shall be increased by this section. This benefit increase shall be paid monthly as part of the regular pension payment and shall be cumulative. The increased benefits authorized by this section shall not affect any benefit payable under the provisions of chapter 41.16 RCW in which the benefit payment is attached to a current salary of the rank held at time of retirement. A beneficiary of benefit increases provided for pursuant to this section is hereby authorized to appeal a decision on such increases or the failure of the local pension board to order such increased benefits or the amount of such benefits to the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' system retirement board provided for in *RCW 41.26.050.
For the purpose of this section the term "consumer price index" shall mean, for any calendar year, the consumer price index for the Seattle, Washington area as compiled by the bureau of labor statistics of the United States department of labor.
[ 2007 c 218 § 30; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 44 § 1; 1975 1st ex.s. c 178 § 1; 1974 ex.s. c 190 § 1; 1970 ex.s. c 37 § 3; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 38.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 41.26.050 was repealed by 1982 c 163 § 23. Powers, duties, and functions of the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement board were transferred to the director of retirement systems by RCW 41.26.051, which has been decodified.
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Construction of RCW 41.16.145—1975 1st ex.s. c 178: See RCW 41.16.921.
Construction—1970 ex.s. c 37: See note following RCW 41.18.104.
Effective date—Construction—Severability—1969 ex.s. c 209: See RCW 41.26.3901, 41.26.3902, and 41.26.3903.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.150 - Payment on separation from service.

RCW 41.16.150
Payment on separation from service.
(1) Any firefighter who has served twenty years or more and who shall resign or be dismissed, shall have the option of receiving all his or her contributions plus earned interest compounded semiannually, or a monthly pension in the amount of his or her average monthly salary times the number of years of service rendered, times one and one-half percent. Payment of such pension shall commence at the time of severance from the fire department, or at the age of fifty-five years, whichever shall be later. The firefighter shall have sixty days from the severance date to elect which option he or she will take. In the event he or she fails to exercise his or her right of election then he or she shall receive the amount of his or her contributions plus accrued compounded interest. In the event he or she elects such pension, but dies before attaining the age of fifty-five, his widow or her widower, or if he leaves no widow or she leaves no widower, then his or her child or children shall receive only his or her contribution, plus accrued compounded interest. In the event he or she elects to take a pension and dies after attaining the age of fifty-five, his widow or her widower, or if he leaves no widow or she leaves no widower, then child or children shall receive his or her contributions, plus accrued compounded interest, less the amount of pension payments made to such firefighter during his or her lifetime.
(2) Any firefighter who shall have served for a period of less than twenty years, and shall resign or be dismissed, shall be paid the amount of his or her contributions, plus accrued compounded interest.
[ 2007 c 218 § 31; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 65; 1959 c 5 § 9; 1957 c 82 § 9. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.160 - Payment on death not in line of duty.

RCW 41.16.160
Payment on death not in line of duty.
Whenever any firefighter, after four years of service, shall die from natural causes, or from an injury not sustained in the performance of his or her duty and for which no pension is provided in this chapter, and who has not been retired on account of disability, his widow or her widower, if he or she was his wife or her husband at the time he or she was stricken with his or her last illness, or at the time he or she received the injuries from which he or she died; or if there is no such widow, then his or her child or children shall be entitled to the amount of his or her contributions, plus accrued compounded interest, or the sum of one thousand dollars, whichever sum shall be the greater. In case of death as above stated, before the end of four years of service, an amount based on the proportion of the time of service to four years shall paid such beneficiaries.
[ 2007 c 218 § 32; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 66; 1959 c 5 § 10; 1957 c 82 § 10. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1929 c 86 § 7, part; 1919 c 196 § 9, part; 1909 c 50 § 9, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.170 - Payment on death of firefighter with no dependents.

RCW 41.16.170
Payment on death of firefighter with no dependents.
Whenever a firefighter dies leaving no widow or widower or children, the amount of his or her accumulated contributions, plus accrued compounded interest only, shall be paid his or her beneficiary.
[ 2007 c 218 § 33; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 67; 1959 c 5 § 11; 1957 c 82 § 11. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 5; 1929 c 86 § 6, part; 1919 c 196 § 8, part; 1909 c 50 § 8, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.180 - Funeral expense.

RCW 41.16.180
Funeral expense.
Upon the death of any active firefighter, firefighter who is disabled, or retired firefighter, the board shall pay from the fund the sum of two hundred dollars to assist in defraying the funeral expenses of such firefighter.
[ 2007 c 218 § 34; 1959 c 5 § 12; 1957 c 82 § 12. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 10; 1929 c 86 § 15; 1919 c 196 § 18; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.190 - Waiting period—Disability retirement.

RCW 41.16.190
Waiting period—Disability retirement.
No firefighter disabled in the performance of duty shall receive a pension until six months has elapsed after such disability was sustained. Therefore, whenever the retirement board, pursuant to examination by the board's physician and such other evidence as it may require, shall find a firefighter has been disabled while in the performance of his or her duties, it shall declare him or her inactive. For a period of six months from the time he or she became disabled, he or she shall continue to draw full pay from his or her municipality and in addition thereto he or she shall, at the expense of the municipality, be provided with such medical, hospital and nursing care as the retirement board deems proper. If the board finds at the expiration of six months that the firefighter is unable to return to and perform his or her duties, then he or she shall be retired as herein provided.
[ 2007 c 218 § 35; 1959 c 5 § 13; 1957 c 82 § 13. Prior: 1947 c 91 § 8, part; 1935 c 39 § 4, part; 1929 c 86 § 5, part; 1919 c 196 § 7, part; 1909 c 50 § 7, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-47, part.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.200 - Examination of disability pensioners—Restoration to duty.

RCW 41.16.200
Examination of disability pensioners—Restoration to duty.
The board shall require all firefighters receiving disability pensions to be examined every six months. All such examinations shall be made by physicians duly appointed by the board. If a firefighter shall fail to submit to such examination within ten days of having been so ordered in writing by said retirement board all pensions or benefits paid to said firefighter under this chapter, shall immediately cease and the disbursing officer in charge of such payments shall issue no further payments to such firefighter. If such firefighter fails to present himself or herself for examination within thirty days after being ordered so to do, he or she shall forfeit all rights under this chapter. If such firefighter, upon examination as aforesaid, shall be found fit for service, he or she shall be restored to duty in the same rank held at the time of his or her retirement, or if unable to perform the duties of said rank, then, at his or her request, in such other rank, the duties of which he or she is then able to perform. The board shall thereupon so notify the firefighter and shall require him or her to resume his or her duties as a member of the fire department. If, upon being so notified, such member shall fail to report for employment within ten days, he or she shall forfeit all rights to any benefits under this chapter.
[ 2007 c 218 § 36; 1947 c 91 § 9; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-48. Prior: 1929 c 86 § 8; 1919 c 196 § 10; 1909 c 50 § 10.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.210 - Transfer of assets to new fund—Assumption of obligations.

RCW 41.16.210
Transfer of assets to new fund—Assumption of obligations.
(1) Funds or assets on hand in the firefighters' relief and pension fund of any municipality established under the provisions of chapter 50, Laws of 1909, as amended, after payment of warrants drawn upon and payable therefrom, shall, by the city treasurer, be transferred to and placed in the firefighters' pension fund created by this chapter; and the firefighters' pension fund created by this chapter shall be liable for and there shall be paid therefrom in the order of their issuance any and all unpaid warrants drawn upon said firefighters' relief and pension fund.
(2) Any moneys loaned or advanced by a municipality from the general or any other fund of such municipality to the firefighters' relief and pension fund created under the provisions of chapter 50, Laws of 1909, as amended, and not repaid shall be an obligation of the firefighters' pension fund created under this chapter, and shall at such times and in such amounts as is directed by the board be repaid.
[ 2007 c 218 § 37; 1947 c 91 § 10; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-49.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.220 - Credit for military service.

RCW 41.16.220
Credit for military service.
Any person who was a member of the fire department and within the provisions of chapter 50, Laws of 1909, as amended, at the time he or she entered, and who is a veteran, as defined in RCW 41.04.005, shall have added and accredited to his or her period of employment as a firefighter as computed under this chapter his or her period of war service in such armed forces upon payment by him or her of his or her contribution for the period of his or her absence, at the rate provided by chapter 50, Laws of 1909, as amended, for other members: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, Such accredited service shall not in any case exceed five years.
[ 2007 c 218 § 38; 1969 ex.s. c 269 § 7; 1947 c 91 § 11; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-50.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.230 - Repeal does not affect accrued rights.

RCW 41.16.230
Repeal does not affect accrued rights.
Chapter 50, Laws of 1909; chapter 196, Laws of 1919; chapter 86, Laws of 1929, and chapter 39, Laws of 1935 (secs. 9559 to 9578, incl., Rem. Rev. Stat.; secs. 396-1 to 396-43, incl., PPC) and all other acts or parts of acts in conflict herewith are hereby repealed: PROVIDED, That the repeal of said laws shall not affect any "prior firefighter," his widow, her widower, child or children, any firefighter eligible for retirement but not retired, his widow, her widower, child or children, or the rights of any retired firefighter, his widow, her widower, child or children, to receive payments and benefits from the firefighters' pension fund created under this chapter, in the amount, and in the manner provided by said laws which are hereby repealed and as if said laws had not been repealed.
[ 2007 c 218 § 39; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 68; 1947 c 91 § 12; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9578-51.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.240 - Application of chapter to fire protection districts.

RCW 41.16.240
Application of chapter to fire protection districts.
Any fire protection district having a full paid fire department may by resolution of its board of fire commissioners provide for the participation of its full time employees in a pension program in the same manner, with the same powers, and with the same force and effect as to such districts as the pension program provided by chapter 41.16 RCW for cities, towns and municipalities, or fire protection districts.
[ 1955 c 46 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.250 - Retirement and job security rights preserved upon annexation, etc., of district.

RCW 41.16.250
Retirement and job security rights preserved upon annexation, etc., of district.
If all or any portion of a fire protection district is annexed to or incorporated into a city or town, or is succeeded by a metropolitan municipal corporation or county fire department, no full time paid firefighter affected by such annexation, incorporation or succession shall receive a reduction in his or her retirement and job security rights: PROVIDED, That this section shall not apply to any retirement and job security rights authorized under chapter 41.24 RCW.
[ 2007 c 218 § 40; 1963 c 63 § 1.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.260 - Transfer of credit from city employees' retirement system to firefighters' pension system.

RCW 41.16.260
Transfer of credit from city employees' retirement system to firefighters' pension system.
See RCW 41.18.210.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.920 - Construction—1959 c 5—Benefits retroactively authorized.

RCW 41.16.920
Construction—1959 c 5—Benefits retroactively authorized.
The provisions of chapter 5, Laws of 1959 are intended to be remedial and procedural and any benefits heretofore paid to recipients hereunder pursuant to any previous act are retroactively included and authorized as a part of chapter 5, Laws of 1959.
[ 1959 c 5 § 14.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.921 - Construction—1975 1st ex.s. c 178, RCW 41.16.145.

RCW 41.16.921
Construction—1975 1st ex.s. c 178, RCW 41.16.145.
(1) The provisions of this section are procedural and remedial.
(2) The application and effect of chapter 178, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. shall be retroactive to and including May 6, 1974. Each benefit being paid on June 4, 1975, shall then be adjusted as if chapter 178, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. had been in existence since May 6, 1974. Additionally, any amounts which would have been paid had chapter 178, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. been in effect since May 6, 1974, shall then be due as a one-time lump sum payment.
(3) The provisions of RCW 41.16.145 shall be construed and read to have granted the percentage increase provided by that section to those receiving benefits pursuant to RCW 41.16.230, until and including July 1, 1974, at which time those persons shall be regarded as eligible for the benefits granted by chapter 190, Laws of 1974 ex. sess., as provided in subsection (2) of this section. Any amounts now payable due to a failure to so construe and read RCW 41.16.145 are now due as a one-time lump sum payment.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 178 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.16 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1947 Act. › 41.16.922 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.

RCW 41.16.922
Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[ 2009 c 521 § 87.]
NOTES:
Effective dates—2009 c 521 §§ 5-8, 79, 87-103, 107, 151, 165, 166, 173-175, and 190-192: See note following RCW 2.10.900.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.18 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1955 Act. › 41.18.015 - Pension boards—Members—Terms—Vacancies—Officers—Quorum.

RCW 41.18.015
Pension boards—Members—Terms—Vacancies—Officers—Quorum.
(1) There is hereby created in each fire protection district which qualifies under this chapter, a firefighters' pension board to consist of the following five members, the chairperson of the fire commissioners for said district who shall be chairperson of the board, the county auditor, county treasurer, and in addition, two regularly employed or retired firefighters elected by secret ballot of the employed and retired firefighters. Retired members who are subject to the jurisdiction of the pension board have both the right to elect and the right to be elected under this section. The first members to be elected by the firefighters shall be elected annually for a two-year term. The two firefighter elected members shall, in turn, select a third eligible member who shall serve in the event of an absence of one of the regularly elected members. In case a vacancy occurs in the membership of the firefighter or retired members, the members shall in the same manner elect a successor to serve the unexpired term. The board may select and appoint a secretary who may, but need not be a member of the board. In case of absence or inability of the chairperson to act, the board may select a chairperson pro tempore who shall during such absence or inability perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chairperson. A majority of the members of said board shall constitute a quorum and have power to transact business.
(2) If no eligible regularly employed or retired firefighters are willing or able to be elected to the board under subsection (1) of this section, then the following individuals may be elected to the board under subsection (1) of this section:
(a) Any active or retired firefighters who reside within the jurisdiction served by the board. This includes active and retired firefighters under this chapter and chapters 41.16, 41.26, and 52.26 RCW;
(b) The widow or widower of a firefighter subject to the jurisdiction of the board.
[ 2020 c 107 § 4; 2007 c 218 § 42; 1992 c 6 § 1; 1961 c 255 § 11.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.18 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1955 Act. › 41.18.020 - Powers and duties of board.

RCW 41.18.020
Powers and duties of board.
The board, in addition to such general and special powers as are vested in it by the provisions of chapter 41.16 RCW, which powers the board shall have with respect to this chapter shall have power to:
(1) Generally supervise and control the administration of this chapter;
(2) Pass upon and allow or disallow applications for pensions or other benefits provided by this chapter;
(3) Provide for payment from the firefighters' pension fund of necessary expenses of maintenance and administration required by the provisions of this chapter;
(4) Make rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter for the purpose of carrying out and effecting the same;
(5) Require the physicians appointed under the provisions of chapter 41.16 RCW, to examine and report to the board upon all applications for relief and pensions under this chapter; and
(6) Perform such acts, receive such compensation and enjoy such immunity as provided in RCW 41.16.040.
[ 2007 c 218 § 43; 1955 c 382 § 2.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.18 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1955 Act. › 41.18.030 - Contributions by firefighters.

RCW 41.18.030
Contributions by firefighters.
Every firefighter to whom this chapter applies shall contribute to the firefighters' pension fund a sum equal to six percent of his or her basic salary which shall be deducted therefrom and placed in the fund.
[ 2007 c 218 § 44; 1961 c 255 § 2; 1955 c 382 § 3.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.18 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1955 Act. › 41.18.040 - Retirement for service—Widow's or widower's pension—Payments to children.

RCW 41.18.040
Retirement for service—Widow's or widower's pension—Payments to children.
Whenever any firefighter, *at the time of taking effect of this act or thereafter, shall have been appointed under civil service rules and have served for a period of twenty-five years or more as a member in any capacity of the regularly constituted fire department of any city, town or fire protection district which may be subject to the provisions of this chapter, and shall have attained the age of fifty years, he or she shall be eligible for retirement and shall be retired by the board upon his or her written request. Upon his or her retirement such firefighter shall be paid a monthly pension which shall be equal to fifty percent of the basic salary now or hereafter attached to the same rank and status held by the said firefighter at the date of his or her retirement: PROVIDED, That a firefighter hereafter retiring who has served as a member for more than twenty-five years, shall have his or her pension payable under this section increased by two percent of the basic salary per year for each full year of such additional service to a maximum of five additional years.
Upon the death of any such retired firefighter, his or her pension shall be paid to his widow or her widower, at the same monthly rate that the retired firefighter would have received had he or she lived, if such widow or widower was his wife or her husband for a period of five years prior to the time of his or her retirement. If there be no widow or widower, then such monthly payments shall be distributed to and divided among his or her children, share and share alike, until they reach the age of eighteen or are married, whichever occurs first.
[ 2007 c 218 § 45; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 70; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 29; 1965 ex.s. c 45 § 3; 1961 c 255 § 3; 1955 c 382 § 4.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: The phrase "at the time of taking effect of this act or thereafter" first appears in the 1961 amendment, which became effective at midnight June 7, 1961 (see preface, 1961 session laws). The basic act, 1955 c 382, became effective at midnight June 8, 1955 (see preface, 1955 session laws).
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
Applicability—1969 ex.s. c 209: See RCW 41.18.102.
Effective date—Severability—Construction—1969 ex.s. c 209: See RCW 41.26.3901, 41.26.3902, and 41.26.3903.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.18 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1955 Act. › 41.18.042 - Actuarially reduced retirement allowance—Spousal benefit.

RCW 41.18.042
Actuarially reduced retirement allowance—Spousal benefit.
(1) Any retired firefighter married to a spouse ineligible for survivor benefits under RCW 41.18.040, 41.18.080, and 41.18.100 may choose an actuarially equivalent benefit adopted by the board that pays the retired firefighter a reduced retirement allowance, and upon death such portion of the retired firefighter's reduced retirement allowance as designated by the retired firefighter shall be continued throughout the life of the spouse.
(2) A retired firefighter who married a spouse ineligible for survivor benefits under RCW 41.18.040, 41.18.080, and 41.18.100 prior to July 26, 2009, has one year after July 26, 2009, to designate their spouse as a survivor beneficiary.
(3) The benefit provided to a child survivor beneficiary under RCW 41.18.040, 41.18.080, and 41.18.100 shall not be affected or reduced by the retired firefighter's selection of the actuarially reduced spousal survivor benefit provided by this section, and shall be equivalent to the amount payable as if the choice under subsection (1) of this section was not made.
(4)(a) Any retired firefighter who chose to receive a reduced retirement allowance under subsection (1) of this section is entitled to receive a retirement allowance adjusted in accordance with (b) of this subsection if:
(i) The retiree's survivor spouse designated in subsection (1) of this section predeceases the retiree; and
(ii) The retiree provides to the board proper proof of the designated beneficiary's death.
(b) The retirement allowance payable to the retiree from the beginning of the month following the date of the beneficiary's death shall be the current monthly amount payable as if the selection under subsection (1) of this section was not made.
[ 2009 c 156 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.18 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1955 Act. › 41.18.045 - Pension benefits for widows or widowers of unretired, eligible firefighters—Retroactive.

RCW 41.18.045
Pension benefits for widows or widowers of unretired, eligible firefighters—Retroactive.
Upon the death of a firefighter who is eligible to retire under RCW 41.18.040 as now or hereafter amended, but who has not retired, a pension shall be paid to his widow or her widower at the same monthly rate that he or she was eligible to receive at the time of his or her death, if such widow or widower was his wife or her husband for a period of five years prior to his or her death. If there be no widow or widower, then such monthly payments shall be distributed to and divided among his or her children, share and share alike, until they reach the age of eighteen or are married, whichever comes first.
This section shall apply retroactively for the benefit of all widows or widowers and survivors of firefighters who died after January 1, 1967, if such firefighters were otherwise eligible to retire on the date of death.
[ 2007 c 218 § 46; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 71; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 25.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
Effective date—Severability—Construction—1969 ex.s. c 209: See RCW 41.26.3901, 41.26.3902, and 41.26.3903.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.18 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1955 Act. › 41.18.050 - Disablement in line of duty—Retirement.

RCW 41.18.050
Disablement in line of duty—Retirement.
Every firefighter who shall become disabled as a result of the performance of duty may be retired at the expiration of six months from the date of his or her disability, upon his or her written request filed with his or her retirement board. The board may, upon such request being filed, consult such medical advice as it sees fit, and may have the applicant examined by such physicians as it deems desirable. If from the reports of such physicians the board finds the applicant capable of performing his or her duties in the fire department, the board may refuse to recommend his or her retirement. If, after the expiration of six months from the date of his or her disability, the board deems it for the good of the fire department or the pension fund it may recommend the retirement of a firefighter disabled as a result of the performance of duty without any request for the same by him or her, and after having been given by the board a thirty days' written notice of such recommendation he or she shall be retired.
[ 2007 c 218 § 47; 1955 c 382 § 5.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.18 - Firefighters' Relief and Pensions—1955 Act. › 41.18.060 - Disablement in line of duty—Inactive period—Allowance—Medical, hospital, nursing care.

RCW 41.18.060
Disablement in line of duty—Inactive period—Allowance—Medical, hospital, nursing care.
Whenever the retirement board, pursuant to examination by the board's physician and such other evidence as it may require, shall find a firefighter has been disabled while in the performance of his or her duties it shall declare the firefighter inactive. For a period of six months from the time of the disability the firefighter shall draw from the pension fund a disability allowance equal to his or her basic monthly salary and, in addition, shall be provided with medical, hospital and nursing care as long as the disability exists. The board may, at its discretion, elect to reimburse the firefighter who is disabled for premiums the firefighter has paid for medical insurance that supplements medicare, including premiums the firefighter has paid for medicare part B coverage. If the board finds at the expiration of six months that the firefighter is unable to return to and perform his or her duties, the firefighter shall be retired at a monthly sum equal to fifty percent of the amount of his or her basic salary at any time thereafter attached to the rank which he or she held at the date of retirement: PROVIDED, That where, at the time of retirement hereafter for disability under this section, the firefighter has served honorably for a period of more than twenty-five years as a member, in any capacity of the regularly constituted fire department of a municipality, the firefighter shall have his or her pension payable under this section increased by two percent of his or her basic salary per year for each full year of additional service to a maximum of five additional years.
[ 2007 c 218 § 48; 1992 c 22 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 30; 1961 c 255 § 4; 1955 c 382 § 6.]
NOTES:
Intent—Finding—2007 c 218: See note following RCW 41.08.020.
Effective date—Severability—Construction—1969 ex.s. c 209: See RCW 41.26.3901, 41.26.3902, and 41.26.3903.