Resources
Deep Dives on the Topics Firefighters Ask About Most
This hub is built to hold longer write-ups of the topics already covered on the Firefighter Advocate YouTube channel. Each card below is a placeholder for a future article — publishing these as real pages is one of the best ways to get found on Google for long-tail searches like "CalPERS Classic vs PEPRA" or "firefighter retiree healthcare costs."
CalPERS Classic vs. PEPRA
How the two formulas differ, who qualifies for which, and what it means for your retirement age and benefit factor.
Coming soonIndustrial Disability Retirement (IDR)
The heart-presumption law (Cal. Labor Code §3212), tax treatment of the first 50% of final compensation, and how IDR compares to a service retirement.
Coming soonRetiree Healthcare Costs
CalPERS Kaiser vs. PERS Platinum PPO tiers, what actually changes at retirement, and how to plan for the gap.
Coming soonMERP, Explained
The IAFF Active Service Unit formula and how a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan stacks on top of a retiree medical stipend.
Coming soonBest States to Retire (Firefighter Edition)
Tax treatment of pensions, cost of living, and how the Social Security Fairness Act changes the math for firefighters relocating after retirement.
Coming soonMortgage Payoff Strategies
Using overtime and shift-trade income intentionally to accelerate payoff without derailing your 457(b) and Roth contributions.
Coming soonDivorce & Your CalPERS Pension
Model A (Separation of Account) vs. Model B (Time Rule), and what a pension "buyout" really means.
Coming soonPension Continuance vs. Life Insurance
What happens to your pension for your survivors, and where supplemental life insurance still matters.
Coming soonWatch the Full Video Library
Every topic above already has a video (or several) on the channel — start there while these articles are being written.
Watch on YouTube