In January 2007, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 went into effect and included the Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety (HELPS) Retirees Act. This Act applies only to sworn police and fire retirees who:

• Retired with an unreduced pension, or
• Retired due to disability

The HELPS Act allows eligible retired public safety officers to pay for health insurance premiums, up to $3,000 per year, on a pre-tax basis from their qualified government retirement plan. The premiums must be paid directly from your pension fund to a healthcare insurance company.

In order to receive this benefit, the eligible retiree must complete this one-time election form  and return it to the Richmond Retirement System 900 E. Broad Street, Room 400, Richmond, VA 23219.