Frequently Asked Questions


Q1. How much do I contribute to the fund? How much does the City contribute?

A1a. General and Fire employees contribute 8.25% and Police Civil Service contributes 8.73% of their annual salary each year.

A1b. The City contributes 15.74% for General and Fire employees and 16.46% for Police Civil Service.

Q2. What is the balance of my retirement account?

A2. You can check your retirement balance at any time on the City intranet. If you visit www.cfwnet.org and click on the Retirement Planning Tool, your contributions plus interest will be available. From this page, you can print out a confirmation of your account balance.

Q3. Can I contribute more/ less to retirement?

A3. No, the retirement contribution rate is set by the Mayor and Council and is a condition of employment.

Q4. When do I see the city’s contributions?

A4. You don’t see the City’s contributions because it is not part of your individual contribution balance. City contributions are paid into the general fund and used as assets to pay for all current and future retirement benefits.

Q5. Can I borrow against my retirement?

A5. The Administrative Rules, which govern the Retirement Fund, do not allow you to borrow against your retirement. If you are a member of one of the City’s 457-Deferred Compensation Plans (Nationwide or ICMA), there are some loan provisions that will allow one to borrow up to a maximum of 50% ($50,000.00 maximum) of their account balance.

Q6. How long will it take to get a refund of my contributions if I leave the city?

A6. Approximately four to six weeks after we receive your application and final separation information from Human Resources.

Q7. What does “Vested” mean?

A7. Upon five years of credited service, you are now eligible to receive a pension benefit at early retirement, normal retirement or a vested termination retirement.

Q8. What is an “eligible survivor?”

A8. An “eligible survivor” is a spouse to whom a member was married at least one year prior to his or her retirement date, children under the age of eighteen (18), or dependent parents.

Q9. What happens to my contributions if I should die?

A9a. Active employees who pass away will have their contributions plus interest refunded to the surviving spouse, designated beneficiary(ies) or estate.

A9b. Retirees have a survivor benefit that entitles “eligible survivors” to a benefit of 75% of the retirees’ monthly pension benefit. If no “eligible survivors” are available then a refund of any remaining contributions would be made payable to the designated beneficiary(ies) or estate.

Q10. Who is listed as my beneficiary?

A10. You may call the retirement office at (817) 632-8900 and verify your designated beneficiary(ies) at any time. However; the Retirement Fund just began allowing active employees to designate beneficiaries in 2006. If you have not filled out a Beneficiary Designation Form, please download one from our Forms page and return to our office.

Q11. How early do I need to start my paperwork for retirement?

A11. You should make an appointment at least 30 days (if not more) prior to leaving the City. You will need to complete an application and turn in documents for you and your spouse. All documents are due by the 10th of the month to take effect the 1st of the following month (example: For a June 1st retirement, all documents are due by May 10th).

Q12. What documents do I need to bring with me to my appointment?

A12. To join DROP, we need a copy of your driver’s license, Social Security card and birth certificate. If married, we need a copy of your marriage license and your spouse’s signature must be notarized on the DROP application.

Q13. What if I can’t find my birth certificate, Social Security card or driver's license?

A13a. A passport can be used in place of a birth certificate. If you do not have either, then you will need to contact vital statistics to get a replacement birth certificate.

A13b. If you do not have your Social Security card or drivers license, you will need to apply for a replacement.

Q14. How will my sick and major medical leave be paid out to me when I retire?

A14a. General employees are paid up to a maximum of 720 hours of sick time. Upon retirement, major medical hours are converted to credited service and used in the calculation of the pension benefit.

A14b. Police (Civil Service) employees are paid up to 720 hours of sick time. Hours in excess of 720 hours are converted to credited service and used in the calculation of the pension benefit.

A14c. Fire (Civil Service) employees are paid up to 1080 hours of sick time. Hours in excess of 1080 hours are converted to credited service and used in the calculation of the pension benefit.

For questions about leave payouts, please contact the Retiree Liaison in Human Resources at 817-392-2897.

Q15. Will my Health insurance remain the same when I retire? Who do I need to talk to about changing/continuing my insurance?

A15. All health insurance questions are to be directed to the City’s Retiree Liaison at 817-392-2897.

Q16. What is D.R.O.P.?

A16. DROP is a Deferred Retirement Option Program. DROP is a deferral of retirement that allows one to accumulate a lump-sum benefit payable upon retirement. DROP is not an election of retirement.

Q17. Is DROP available to all employees?

A17. Yes, the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) is available to any employee who reaches their normal or special retirement date.

Q18. If I join DROP do I still get paid my regular paycheck?

A18. Yes. DROP is a deferral of retirement; therefore, you will continue to get paid your regular salary while accruing a DROP lump-sum account.

Q19. How long do I have to stay in DROP?

A19. A member who joins DROP must stay in the program for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of five years in order to be eligible for a DROP lump-sum. After five years, you do not have to retire, but your DROP balance will no longer continue to accumulate.

Q20. How do I find my DROP balance?

A20. DROP participants receive statements annually during the third quarter, regardless of DROP entry date. Or, a member may call the retirement office at (817) 632-8900 to request the balance of their account.