Yes on Proposition H
Expanded retirement benefits for firefighters
What is it?
Existing law sets the retirement age for firefighters hired on or after January 7, 2012 to 58 years old, and just 55 years old for firefighters hired before that date. This discrepancy was introduced due to the Great Recession when San Francisco faced large budget deficits.
Proposition H will undo that change by setting the retirement age for all firefighters to 55 and modifying the pension calculations accordingly for those affected.
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Fiscal impacts
Prop H would have a significant impact on the cost of government. Beginning at $3.7 million in 2025, the cost would increase every year through 2041. The SF Controller did not provide an estimate for total costs because of the uncertainty of future SFFD staffing and ultimate retirement ages.
Why is this on the ballot?
This is a City Charter amendment introduced by the Board of Supervisors. Since the Board of Supervisors cannot directly amend the Charter, if they want to change the Charter they must go to the voters. A vote of six or more Supervisors is required to place a Charter Amendment on the ballot, and voters must approve it by a 50% + 1 majority.
- Sponsor: Supervisor Catherine Stefani
- Co-Sponsors: Supervisors Myrna Melgar, Ahsha Safai, Connie Chan, Aaron Peskin, Joel Engardio, and Matt Dorsey
- Placed on ballot by: Unanimously by all present Supervisors
- Absent: Supervisor Shamann Walton
Why vote Yes?
Proposition H brings fairness to San Francisco's firefighter pensions. Currently, there are two tiers of retirement in the San Francisco Fire Department. If you were hired before January 7, 2012, you can retire with full benefits at age 55. If you were hired on or after January 7, 2012, you are eligible for full retirement benefits at 58.
San Francisco's firefighter retirement age was originally reduced to 55 because of the disproportionate risks firefighters face – their rates of cancer, occupational injury, and death all far exceed the average job. It was raised in 2012 due to the budget crisis from the Great Recession but never fixed when the City's finances were back on track. Yes, San Francisco is yet again facing several years of large budget deficits, but we think the firefighters shouldn't be punished long-term for a short-term budget problem.
While we think you should vote Yes, it's reasonable to think that our current budget shortfall will extend more than just a couple years. If you want to prioritize where our budget goes, then consider voting Yes on Prop I (benefits for nurses and 911 dispatchers), and No on this proposition.