Booker, Husted, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Give Federal Police Officers the Retirement Benefits They Have Earned

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jon Husted (R-OH), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation that would give nearly 30,000 federal police officers the same retirement benefits as the other federal law enforcement officers they serve alongside. The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act would end a long-standing inequity that denies these officers enhanced retirement benefits, even though they perform the same dangerous work. U.S. Representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) have introduced companion legislation (H.R. 3226) in the House. “Federal police officers at VA hospitals, military installations, and federal facilities across the country protect veterans, servicemembers, and federal workers, and face the same dangers as their fellow law enforcement officers,” said Senator Booker. “It is unfair that the federal government denies them the same retirement benefits because of a job classification. This bipartisan bill fixes that language to ensure every federal law enforcement officer who keeps us safe receives the full benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice.” “Federal law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line shouldn’t be shortchanged in retirement because of a technicality in the law,” said Senator Husted. “These men and women risk everything for our safety and face the same dangers as the officers next to them. This bill fixes that oversight so every one of them gets the benefits they’ve earned.” “In Maine, we are fortunate to have so many terrific and professional law enforcement officers devoted to their duty and to doing what is right,” said Senator Collins. “This legislation would expand retirement and pension benefits to thousands of federal law enforcement officers who are currently excluded from them under the outdated federal definition of a law enforcement officer.” Most federal law enforcement officers receive enhanced retirement benefits that recognize the rigorous training their jobs require and the danger they face. But nearly 30,000 officers classified as GS-0083 police officers are excluded, despite carrying similar responsibilities and facing similar risks. These officers serve at agencies including the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Mint, and the National Institutes of Health. The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act would: Extend enhanced law enforcement retirement benefits, known as "6(c)" coverage, to these officers. That would allow them to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service, or at any age with 25 years of service; Expand the federal definition of "law enforcement officer" for retirement purposes to cover employees who are authorized to carry a firearm and whose duties include investigating or apprehending suspected criminals, including GS-0083 police officers. The definition would also cover Internal Revenue Service employees whose primary duties are collecting delinquent taxes and securing delinquent returns, U.S. Postal Inspection Service employees, and Department of Veterans Affairs police officers; and Count current officers' future service as law enforcement service for retirement purposes. Officers could also have their past service credited by submitting a written election to the Office of Personnel Management within five years of the bill's enactment or before leaving federal service, whichever comes first. “All Federal law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day, no matter which Federal agency they work for. This bill will ensure that all Federal law enforcement officers receive the same benefits when they retire,” said Yoes, President, National Fraternal Order of Police . “The FOP is grateful to Senators Booker, Husted, and Collins for introducing this legislation, which would expand the definition of ‘law enforcement officer’ for retirement benefits to include all Federal law enforcement officers.” “Federal law enforcement officers deserve the same recognition, protections, and benefits as their counterparts across the law enforcement community,” said Mathew Silverman, National President, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). “The Law Enforcement Officer’s Equity Act is an important step toward ensuring fairness and closing longstanding gaps that disadvantage dedicated federal officers. FLEOA applauds Senators Booker, Husted, and Collins for their leadership and commitment to those who serve and protect our nation.” The full text of the legislation is available here.