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Retirement Security

RETIREMENT SECURITY BILLS (HB280 and SB###) FACT SHEET

Better for the Public

·       This bill is crucial to recruitment and retention of public safety professionals across the state which will keep Ohioans safer.

·       This bill and the changes it creates protect not just retired and current police and fire fighters, but the public as well by helping attract and keep highly qualified public safety workers serving in their communities.

·       Takes future changes away from politicians and bureaucrats and their whims by replacing the adjustment mechanism by creating a process based on facts and with actuarial math – creating stability for the plan, the cities and townships who contribute, and police officers and fire fighters who rely on the OP&F retirement. 

Better for Police and Fire Fighters

·       Creates the retirement security fire fighters and police officers

·       Over the past 10 years, Ohio’s police officers and fire fighters have stepped up, as they always have, doing their part – accepting cuts to benefits and increases to their contributions to the OP&F Plan

·       All while employer contributions have stayed the same for nearly 40 years. The last time they were changed was in 1986.

·       This bill outlines a phased approach to increasing the employer contribution to police and fire fighter retirement benefits, gradually raising the rate over a five-year period… while also increasing the employee contribution.

·       Police Officers and Fire Fighters are doing their part

o   Massive reform in 2012

o   Police and fire fighter contributions have increased by 22.5% since 2012

o   Since 2012, $3.2 Billion in cuts – sacrifices made by the public safety professionals who rely on the OP&F for a dignified retirement.

o   Employee contributions have doubled since last time the last time employer contributions have been adjusted.

About the proposed bills

·       Protect the pension fund’s long-term solvency.

·       The bills make the contribution rates for police employers the same as fire employers, something that has been recommended by investment professionals since 1994.

·       Police officers and fire fighters have made significant sacrifices throughout the years, these bills allow their departments to acknowledge that fact and help alleviate the unthinkable strain of more cuts to benefits.

·       Passing these bills isn’t just a policy choice…it’s a statement. A statement that says you stand with those who stand between danger and your community. A statement that says Ohio keeps its promises.

About OP&F Retirement and Disability Plan

·       60,000 public safety professionals rely on the OP&F for their retirement income.

·       Over $18.7 Billion in the fund portfolio

·       Police and Fire currently contribute 12.25% of their salaries to the OP%F

·       Cities and townships contribute 24% for fire fighters but only 19.5% for police officers.

·       The OP&F is well managed

o   A recent independent audit showed that the OP&F is well run and a good steward of funds.

o   OP&F’s 10 year performance is in the top 14% when compared to similar funds.

o   9.0% annualized returns since 1988 – S&P is only 8.16% [FACT CHECK]

o   Disability Retirements have decreased

§  Permanent and Total Disability Grants

·       2002 = 128 …. 2020 = 15

§  On-Duty Partial Grants

·       2002 = 208 …. 2020 = 53

o   The blended Employer Contribution Rate of 21.5% is less than many other Plans.

·       Massive Plan reform in 2012 was borne exclusively by police officers and fire fighters

o   Police and fire fighter contributions increased by 22.5%

o   Change in Cost of Living Adjustments

§  No COLA for retirees under 55

§  COLA does not compound

§  Tied COLA to CPI for newer fire fighters and police officers

o   Since 2012 $3.2 Billion in cuts – sacrifices made by the public safety professionals who rely on the OP&F for a dignified retirement.

·       Retiree Health Care Changes in 2018

o   Another example of public safety professionals making the sacrifice

o   Altered retired fire fighters and police officers health care insurance significantly

o   But created in $130 million dollars in savings for the Plan to help created some stabilization.

Note: Employee contributions have doubled since last time the last time employer contributions have been adjusted.

Download Fact Sheet

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Cory Wilson

3rd District
Vice-President

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Email cwilson@oapff.org

Call 740-502-9240

Cory began his proud firefighting career with the Air Force while being stationed in Charleston S.C. After he was done serving with the military, Cory returned home to follow in his father’s footsteps by becoming a professional fire fighter with Coshocton Fire in 2004. Cory worked his way up to the rank of captain in 2011.

Cory was elected Coshocton Local 216 Secretary Treasurer in 2005 and then later became union president in 2014. In 2016 at a special meeting he was elected to the 3rd District Vice President. Cory has two children, Caden and Cammy.

Dean Marks

2nd District
Vice-President

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Email dmarks@oapff.org

Prior to being hired by the City of Elyria Fire Department, Dean served in United States Army Reserves from 1993-2001 as a Combat Medic before being honorably discharged. He was hired in the City of Elyria Fire Department in 1995 and became a member of IAFF Local 474. Dean joined the Water Rescue Team where he was certified as an Emergency Response Diver, Ice Rescue Diver, and Swift Water Technician. He also was a member of the Lorain County Tech Rescue Team, becoming certified in Structural Collapse, Trench Rescue, Rope Rescue, Confined Space and Hazmat Technician. He also holds certifications as a Fire Instructor, CPR Instructor, Fire Inspector and Fire Officer I, II, III, IV. He currently holds the rank of Assistant Chief.

Dean did not wait long to become involved in the Union serving as a Shift Steward, Vice-President, and President, a position he has held since 2008. In 2020 Dean was honored when he received the IAFF Leadership award representing the 8th District. He has served on multiple OAPFF committees and currently is a member of the OAPFF Legislative Committee. He is proud that he has a Brother and two Sons that are on the job and members of the OAPFF.

George Davis

1st District
Vice-President

1

Email gdavis@oapff.org

George, a graduate of Bowling Green State University (Fire Administration), began his career as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Lima Fire Department in 1993 after serving in the United States Marine Corps. He quickly became involved with Local 334, serving on various committees, and steadily progressed through the ranks, starting as a Union Steward, then a trustee, culminating in his election as Union President in 2016. George has also been assigned to numerous committees with the OAPFF and the IAFF and has held the position of Ohio AFL-CIO Vice President since 2018.

In addition to his union leadership, George serves the Lima community as a Battalion Chief on B-Shift. His commitment to his community extends to his role on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Greater Lima, and most importantly, to his family as a dedicated husband to his wife Shelley and a loving father to his children.

Brian Gatley

5th District
Vice-President

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Email bgatley@oapff.org

Brian Gatley started his career at Jerome Township in 1999. From there he moved to Prairie Township before starting at Norwich Township in 2003. Brian was elected as president of Local 1723 in 2008. He has negotiated several collective bargaining agreements. He has attended numerous IAFF and OAPFF conferences and training sessions.

Gatley spent 11 years as a member of the OAPFF Legislative Committee prior to being elected to the position of DVP. He has been a strong advocate for PEER support, cancer presumption, PTSD coverage and collective bargaining rights.

Jeff Moore

4th District
Vice-President

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Email jmoore@oapff.org

After setting aside his engineering degree in 2000, Jeff Moore changed careers and started with the West Chester Fire Department, becoming a member of IAFF Local 3518. He did not wait long to get involved. Jeff was elected to serve on the Executive Board of IAFF Local 3518 as Secretary-Treasurer in 2002 and then President in 2004, a position he has held for 20 years. With a long history protecting firefighter’s rights, benefits and collective bargaining, Jeff was elected as the Fourth District Vice President in 2022, servicing 78 locals in South West Ohio. Among his duties, Jeff represents locals in discipline hearings, arbitrations, contract negotiations, mediation and fact finding.

Jeff has served the OAPFF on various committees, including Legislative, Secondary Employment, Constitution and ByLaws, Governmental Affairs Director Hiring, and OAPFF Policy. He is also a former trustee of the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund. He has attended numerous IAFF, OAPFF, Ohio Ethics Commission, and arbitration and advocacy trainings. He has also studied at the IAFC / IAFF Labor Management Alliance, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, and the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems. Jeff is a third-generation firefighter, with brothers serving as police officers. He resides in Fairfield, OH with his wife and have two children.