When it comes to retirement, FPPA Members don’t coast. The results from the 2026 FPPA Member Survey are in, and they show a Membership that’s in the driver’s seat: confident, engaged, and moving forward with purpose.

This year, FPPA shifted into a higher gear by conducting the survey annually instead of every other year. As a refresher, you can debrief on the 2025 results here. The goal of an annual survey: get faster feedback, make smarter course corrections, and keep Members’ needs front and center with fewer unnecessary pit stops.

The 2026 survey was sent in early April to more than 6,000 active and retired Members, and about 10% took the wheel to complete it. Respondents that set the pace this year included more retirees (70%) than active Members (30%), and slightly more firefighters (55%) than police officers (45%). Even so, the results provide a solid snapshot of what matters to the FPPA community right now.

Let’s pop the hood and take a closer look at this year’s survey findings.

Active Members: Confidence and Interest Revving Up

Using a 0–100 scale, Active Members gave insight into two key areas:

• Confidence in being able to retire in the future
• Interest in retirement planning today

Retirement confidence: 87/100
Interest in retirement planning: 90/100

Both metrics picked up speed in 2025, with Members reporting an increasing belief that retirement is still within reach, even with economic curves along the way. It’s clear that active Members are checking the gauges and mapping their course to retirement.

Retirees: Maintaining Pace Through the Turns

Retired Members were asked a simple but powerful question: Do you feel secure in your retirement?

74% said yes, a slight decrease compared to 2025 and consistent with 2023 levels.

While security remains high overall, this dip highlights some variability in confidence, likely tied to market conditions and broader economic factors.

The takeaway: the majority of retirees still feel secure, but some are easing off the gas and paying close attention to potential speed bumps on the road ahead.

COLAs: Navigating a Complex Road

When it comes to cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), Member feedback made one thing clear: this is an area with a wide range of perspectives and strong feelings. From those asking for greater clarity on how COLA decisions are made, to those advocating for more consistent increases, to others expressing concern about protecting the long-term strength of the Plan, we appreciate the candor and honesty in these responses.

Here’s a sample of comments from FPPA Members:

• “Based on pension solvency, I would like to see higher and more consistent COLAs and One Time Lump Sum Payments.”
• “I have concerns that FPPA is always so worried about future members that the organization hinders benefits of current retirees.”
•  “I would like to know more about the COLA discussions”
• “Please keep up the fantastic conservative management of the plan and investments. We should NEVER decrease our funding percentage to fund COLAs.”
• “FPPA has done everything they promised to do for me in 1982. COLAs are an area of concern for me, but they were never a part of the agreement. I would love to have that benefit added. However, I understand that the weight of that new cost would need to be carried by active Members, and they may not want to do that.” 

Feedback regarding COLAs is taken seriously by our staff. FPPA remains committed to studying COLAs and carefully determining what the Plan can afford, today and in the future. Past Member input has helped shape initiatives such as implementing One-Time Lump Sum payments and amending the COLA policy to consider the Market Value of Plan assets, not just Actuarial Value, allowing FPPA to take advantage of short-term investment gains. Based on 2026 feedback and Board direction, FPPA will create a Task Force to study the COLA policy.

Membership Value: The Checkered Flag

We are honored to support Colorado’s first responders and grateful for the value they see in their FPPA membership. When asked about membership value, the response was loud and clear:

89% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that “My FPPA membership is valuable to me.”

That’s a small decrease from 91% in 2025, remaining near the top of historical performance on this question. It reflects continued trust in FPPA’s ability to prudently invest Members’ retirement funds, administer benefits impartially, and efficiently provide high quality service.

Member Advice: Final Lap

 To cross the finish line on this year’s survey, we asked for Members to share some advice:

In two sentences or less, what would you tell a new first responder to help them succeed in their career now and retire well later?

We are happy to report that almost 400 respondents shared thoughts rooted in lived experience. From practical financial advice to reminders about the importance of family, Members shared what they’ve learned on the job over the years and what they wish they had known starting out. Many Members mentioned how important it is to start planning for retirement early, the power of saving, and taking care of one’s physical and mental health.

Here’s a sample of quotes from FPPA Members:

1. “Retirement feels far away when you start, but it comes faster than you think, so start planning and investing from day one. Take care of your finances, your health, and your mindset now, because they’re what determine how well you live when the job is over.”
2. “FPPA is a benefit most people in the work force can only wish [they] had, it’s a great base retirement income plan. Obtain a good financial advisor and determine how much money you will need in retirement.”
3. “The 457 is the golden ticket to early retirement!”
4. “Take 40% of every raise and put it into your deferred compensation account. Enter DROP when you think you can only go five more years. Enjoy every single day on the job! It goes by in a heartbeat.”
5. “Work longer, save stronger.”
6.  “Stay alert/study/train regularly, learn as much as possible, be a role model in the community, & remain open to other opinions.”
7.  “Be your best self every day. The public and the people we serve deserve the best. Enjoy every day as this job comes and goes faster than you think. Stay safe! Have fun!”
8. “Maintain your fitness level to prevent injuries and be healthy enough to enjoy your retirement years. Save your money now... it will pay off later for a financially stress-free retirement.”
9. “Take care of yourself. Treat your family well.”
10. “Good luck and watch your six.”

FPPA thanks every Member who took the time to share feedback and advice. Your input helps fine tune decisions, improve service, and keep FPPA moving forward.

The work doesn’t stop here. Keep an eye out for the 2027 Member Survey, because when it comes to your retirement, FPPA is built for the long haul.

 

Need help reading the dashboard or have questions about the results? Please contact us.