Albuquerque Fire Department
Retiree’s Association
2025 AFDRA Christmas Dinner Photos are HERE
AFDRA was formed on June 9, 2000. General meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month and all retirees are encouraged to attend. The association also has an annual summer picnic and Christmas party for retirees and families. For more information contact any association officer.
The AFDRA has created a Retiree’s Assistance Program (RAP) modeled after IAFF Local 244’s members assistance program (MAP). For information go to the Peer Support Group Page
You may Donate Here if you wish
Social Security information
We all have our PERA, but just about all of us are entitled to Social Security benefits as well, and with the Social Security Fairness act, those benefits are without the Windfall Elimination Act penalties. To see all the benefits that you are entitled to, sign into your SS account and explore the benefits page. If you do not have a SS account, go to SSA.gov and create an account, even if you are not yet 65, you can see which benefits you will be eligible for when you reach social security age. When you create an account, you will be directed to the new government login page login.gov. Here is a sample of the type of benefits that you may be eligible for; SSA benefits
For decades, firefighters and public safety in general have been penalized on our social security benefits, so SS was never an important part of our retirement pension planning. With the passing of the Social Security Fairness Act, things have changed. Join us at one of our social security seminars at the union hall, either Tuesday April 21st at 10:30 am or Monday April 27 at 6:30 pm and learn how these benefits can now be a substantial part of your retirement pension. Even if you haven’t paid enough quarters over your working life to receive social security benefits, you are still entitled to spouse support benefits. Come get all your questions answered, this is an information only seminar, nobody is trying to sell you anything and your spouse is invited as well.
The host is Brad Yablonsky, RBC Wealth Management Senior Vice President.
SAVVY SOCIAL SECURITY
The Savvy Social Security presentation is geared towards Baby Boomers thinking about retirement. They’ve probably paid Social Security tax for decades. In fact, almost all of us pay-in every time we get a paycheck, yet most of us don’t really understand how the system works. There are hundreds of different ways to claim, and people are leaving money on the table due to lack of education. This presentation bridges the information gap and allows for informed, educated decision making.
Topics covered include:
- When to start taking Social Security
- How much you can expect to receive
- How COLAs (Cost of Living Adjustments) affect your benefits
- The ramifications of marriage, divorce and benefits for surviving spouses
- Strategies implemented to maximize benefits
- The changes based on Congress’ new “Social Security Fairness Act”
- Taxes and tax planning specific to Social Security
- How to align Social Security with the other puzzle pieces of retirement
|Purpose|
|Goals|
Mission Statement
To establish an organization where retired members of the Albuquerque Fire Department can socialize, maintain past friendships, ties and connections to the Fire Department. To create and maintain cordial feelings of friendship which bond retirees, active duty members and their families together.
Purpose
- To preserve the rights interests and welfare of retired members of the Albuquerque Fire Department.
- To promote sociability and friendship.
- To keep retirees in touch with the Fire Department Family on a regular basis.
- To create and maintain a cohesive, cordial and warm feeling of friendship between all active members and retirees together with their families.
Goals
- Prepare and Maintain an up-to-date roster of all retirees, listing their addresses and telephone numbers.
- Prepare and Maintain an up-to-date list of deceased members and remember them at our regular meetings by observing one minute of silence in their honor.
- To establish a regular meeting time and place for members of the Association.
- Adopt an Association logo which can be used on letterheads, business cards, bumper stickers, labels and other promotions for the good and welfare of our members.
- Publish a quarterly news letter or when necessary.
- Invite eligible members to join us at all regular meeting, functions and events which pertain to the Association. While attendance at every meeting is not required to remain in good standing, members are encouraged to attend a reasonable amount of meetings during the year.
- Make every effort to support the Association through volunteer donations during the year.
- Utilize donations to cover operating cost such as coffee, doughnuts, stationary, printing cost, etc.
- Maintain a close and coordinated working relationship with the Fire Chief, his staff, and department members to promote the success of the Association and it’s members.
Advisory Board
- Vince Holcomb
- Bill Raupfer
- Jose Salaz
- Santos Abeyta
- Pablo Garcia
- Morris Gutierrez
- Tommy Romero
- Fred Teupell
- Louis C. Trujillo
- Eulogio Lucero
- Anthony Nuanez
- Emiliano Chavez
- James Parra
- Sam Trujillo
Executive Board
| President | Kerry Horton | 505-934-2969 |
| Vice President | Donny Sanchez | 505-228-3286 |
| Treasurer | Mike Fox | 505-385-7292 |
| Secretary | Edward Abeita | 505-250-7895 |
| President Emeritus | Sam Trujillo | 505-400-3644 |
| Historian | Herman R. Bishop | 505-294-7165 |
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