Indiana § 36-8-7-12.1 - Members retiring with 20 years service
Full text of Indiana Indiana Code § 36-8-7-12.1 — Members retiring with 20 years service, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 36-8-7-12.1. Members retiring with 20 years service
Sec. 12.1. (a) Benefits paid under this section are subject to section 2.5 of this chapter.
(b) A member who has been in service twenty (20) years, upon making a written application to the fire chief, may be retired from all service with the department without a medical examination or disability. Except as provided in subsection (f), the local board shall authorize the payment to the retired member of fifty percent (50%) of the salary of a fully paid first class firefighter of the unit at the time of the payment of the pension, plus:
(1) for a member who retires before January 1, 1986, two percent (2%) of that salary for each year of service; or
(2) for a member who retires after December 31, 1985, one percent (1%) of that salary for each six (6) months of service;
over twenty (20) years. However, the pension in one (1) year may not exceed an amount greater than seventy-four percent (74%) of the salary of a fully paid first class firefighter.
(c) A member who is discharged from the fire department after having served at least twenty (20) years is entitled to receive the amount equal to the amount that the member would have received if the member retired voluntarily.
(d) All pensions in a class are on an equal basis. The local board may not depart from this chapter in authorizing the payment of pensions.
(e) The monthly pension payable to a member may not be reduced below the amount of the first full monthly pension received by that person.
(f) The monthly pension payable to a member who is transferred from disability to regular retirement status may not be reduced below fifty-five percent (55%) of the salary of a fully paid first class firefighter in the unit at the time of the payment of the pension.
(g) A benefit payable under this section shall be paid in not less than twelve (12) monthly installments.
(h) A fund member who is receiving disability benefits under section 11(d) or 11(f) of this chapter shall be transferred from disability to regular retirement status when the member becomes fifty-five (55) years of age.
(i) A fund member who is receiving disability benefits under section 11(e) of this chapter is entitled to:
(1) receive a disability benefit for the remainder of the fund member's life; and
(2) have the amount of the disability benefit computed under section 11(e) of this chapter when the fund member becomes fifty-five (55) years of age.
As added by P.L.196-1988, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.1-1989, SEC.71; P.L.55-1989, SEC.55; P.L.171-1990, SEC.2; P.L.197-1993, SEC.4; P.L.52-1993, SEC.4; P.L.1-1994, SEC.179; P.L.231-1997, SEC.3; P.L.40-1997, SEC.7; P.L.118-2000, SEC.11; P.L.62-2006, SEC.4.
Source: official Indiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana § 36-8-7-12.1
What does Indiana Code § 36-8-7-12.1 cover?
Section 36-8-7-12.1 ("Members retiring with 20 years service") is part of the Indiana Code, the codified statutory law of Indiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Indiana § 36-8-7-12.1?
A common citation format is "Indiana Code § 36-8-7-12.1" (Indiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Indiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Indiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Indiana attorney.
How does Indiana § 36-8-7-12.1 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Indiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Indiana.