For Firefighter Relief Association Boards
A disciplined, documented process for FRA boards.
Kansas Firefighter Relief Association boards carry real fiduciary responsibility.
4Our four-phase process
15%the 15% rule
24-hour24-hour coverage
Our FRA Planning Process
Our four-phase process helps your board understand where the FRA stands today, evaluate options using hypothetical illustrations, put decisions into action and keep the program on track year after year.
Phase 1: Current Planning Analysis6
- Clarify the FRA’s mission, values and member priorities.
- Define goals: benefit security, funding stability, reserves and risk tolerance.
- Review the current benefit structure (death, disability, retirement, supplemental).
- Analyze assets, liabilities, investments, contributions and benefit payments.
- Review governance documents and key policies.
- Highlight strengths, gaps and concerns, and list planning opportunities.
Phase 2: Planning Opportunities Design5
- Model alternative benefits, contributions and funding policies.
- Prepare hypothetical illustrations of long-term cash flow and reserves.
- Design investment allocations by time horizon and risk.
- Compare the pros, cons and complexity of each option.
- Refine designs with board, legal and actuarial input.
Phase 3: Implementation5
- Coordinate the board, city, legal counsel, actuary and investment partners.
- Update policies, procedures and plan documents.
- Oversee the timing of benefit, funding and investment changes.
- Prepare clear summaries and communications for members.
- Document decisions, the reasons behind them and their projected impact.
Phase 4: Annual Review5
- Revisit goals, risk tolerance and priorities.
- Review funding status, performance, reserves and payouts.
- Confirm that current strategies remain appropriate.
- Identify new planning or adjustment needs.
- Provide an annual report that supports informed board oversight.
The outcome
Review your benefit program and document decisions.
Specialized Planning
Built for Kansas Firefighter Relief Associations.
Kansas FRAs operate under unique statutes, reporting rules and fiduciary responsibilities.
Review and document your “relief” benefit program
- Help boards move from ad-hoc checks to written, needs-based relief policies.
- Help boards understand how FRA benefits relate to KP&F, city benefits and workers’ compensation.
Understand distribution and redetermination rules
- Identify when your FRA may be eligible to request a redetermination of its relief-fund share.
- Prepare the data and narrative to support those requests, and plan for growth, consolidations or boundary changes.
Make 24-hour coverage and the 15% rule workable
- Help the board consider premium-sharing approaches for review by its legal counsel.
- Build simple processes for collecting members’ 15% contributions, including during military leave and other special situations.
Strengthen governance, documentation and compliance
- Create clear written policies: coverage, premiums, delinquency, military leave, disability and death claims.
- Help organize policies and documentation for counsel’s review.
Help volunteer departments evaluate long-term benefit options, which may include annuity contracts
- Help the board consider service- and attendance-based benefit approaches for review by its legal counsel.
- Model long-term funding so benefits are fair, sustainable and clearly communicated to volunteers.
Integrate FRA benefits into each firefighter’s full financial picture
- Show how FRA benefits fit alongside KP&F pensions, Social Security and personal planning.
- Provide education and materials your department can use with members at hiring, mid-career and retirement.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
Share a few details, and we’ll reach out soon to see how we can help. We look forward to connecting with you!
- Leawood Office4000 W 114th St, Suite 140
Leawood, KS 66211 - Office Line913-303-9124
Requests & Contact
Office Line 913-303-9124