Honorable Hal H. Hood Commissioner Firemen's Pension Commission Sam Houston Building Austin, Texas 78701
Re: The time at which a fireman terminates his active service.
Dear Commissioner Hood:
You have requested an opinion regarding the construction of the Firemen's Relief Pension fund statute, article 6243e, V.T.C.S. Section 25A provides that upon termination of `active service' the retiree is entitled to the benefits and allowances in effect at the time of his termination. You have asked when the termination of active service occurs in a particular instance.
In April, 1977, a fireman went on sick leave. He was retained on the payroll and continued to make contributions to the pension fund. In May of 1978 he was granted a disability retirement pension retroactive to April, 1977. Thus, from April to May of the next year he was drawing the equivalent of his full salary while on sick leave and receiving pension benefits, albeit retroactively. This practice is permissible. Attorney General Opinion H-1241 (1978); C-460 (1965). During this period the monthly pension benefits were increased. The question is whether he is entitled to those in effect in April, 1977, or May, 1978. It is not asserted that the fireman continued in any active duty after April, 1977.
Section 26 defines an active fireman as one who receives a salary as a fireman. However, we do not believe it follows that firemen who are drawing sick leave are on active service while drawing such compensation. We believe that the fireman's election to have his disability benefits retroactive to April, 1977, thereby determines his termination of active service. In Attorney General Opinion V-1101 (1950) it was concluded that a disability absence over one year did not count towards the twenty years of active service required to retire. This opinion supports the proposition that disability leave, for some purposes, is not active service. In addition, section 7, on the subject of disability retirement, provides in part that
If and when such disability shall cease, such retirement or disability allowance shall be discontinued and such person shall be restored to active service at not less than the same salary he received at the time of his retirement for disability.
Art. 6243e, § 7, V.T.C.S. (Emphasis added). We believe the implication of this section is that one cannot be considered on `active service' during the period of time for which he is drawing disability retirement benefits.
SUMMARY For purposes of section 25A, article 6243e, V.T.C.S., a fireman's termination of active service is that date on which his disability retirement benefits begin to run.
Very truly yours,
John L. Hill Attorney General of Texas
Approved:
David M. Kendall First Assistant
C. Robert Heath Chairman Opinion Committee