Establishing Multi-Year Benefit Level Proposals

Many relief associations review their benefit levels in the spring when completing their annual reporting forms. We understand that occasionally relief association trustees have an interest in seeking municipal ratification to increase the relief association’s benefit level over multiple years. Such a proposal is not consistent with established law unless the municipality ratifies each incremental benefit level before it becomes effective, as ratification of any benefit level change is usually required by law.

For example, if a relief association would like to increase its benefit level from $2,000 to $3,000 per year of service over a five-year period, the $2,000 benefit level would need to be ratified by the municipality in year one, and the $2,200 benefit level would need to be separately ratified in year two and so on.

Last Updated April 2025