The House earlier this month passed an AFGE-backed bill that would allow law enforcement personnel and first responders to keep their full retirement benefits if they’re injured on the job and return to the federal workforce in another capacity.
Because of the dangerous nature of their jobs, federal responders and law enforcement personnel such as customs and border protection officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, nuclear materials couriers, members of the Capitol Police, and others are required to retire at the age of 57. Employees in these jobs, known as "6c" occupations, are entitled to retire after serving for 20 years and reaching age 50.
Their accelerated retirement system also requires them to pay a higher percentage of their salary into their retirement than other federal workers making their payments over the course of 30 years. The 6c personnel’s annuity amount is therefore calculated at a higher rate.
But if they get injured on the job and cannot complete their mandatory 20 years of service, the money they have paid into early retirement disappears even if they continue to serve in a non-6c position.
The First Responders Fair Return for Employees on Their Initial Retirement Earned (RETIRE) Act would address that inequity by allowing these law enforcement officers and first responders to receive retirement benefits in the same manner as if they had not been disabled.
“Federal employees who serve as first responders provide an essential service to the American people to make sure they are safe. Congress has taken an important step with this bill to make sure our federal employees keeping America safe receive the dignity and respect they deserve in the workplace to ensure their health and safety,” said AFGE Firefighter Steering Committee Chair Kurt Rhodes.
This bill was introduced in the House by House Subcommittee on Government Operations Chair Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and in the Senate by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT).
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