# Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act: Plain Language Summary

This bill expands who qualifies as a "law enforcement officer" under the federal government's retirement system. Right now, only certain federal employees—like FBI agents and Secret Service officers—get special retirement benefits that let them retire earlier with better pensions than regular government workers. This bill adds several other federal jobs to that list, including IRS agents who collect taxes, postal inspectors, Veterans Affairs police officers, and certain border protection specialists who handle seized property. The key requirement is that these employees must investigate crimes or have the authority to carry firearms as part of their job duties.

The practical effect is that employees in these newly covered positions will now be able to retire earlier and receive higher pension payments, similar to traditional law enforcement. For example, instead of working until age 62 or 65 like most federal employees, they could potentially retire in their 50s. This makes their retirement benefits match what other federal law enforcement officers already receive, which supporters argue is fair since these jobs involve similar law enforcement responsibilities and risks.

For people already working in these positions, the bill gives them a five-year window to decide whether they want to be treated as law enforcement officers for retirement purposes. If they choose to do so, they can pay back contributions to cover their previous years of service, and their employer will also contribute money to make up the difference. However, even if they don't pay anything, their prior service still counts toward retirement—they just won't get the full benefit increase. The bill also protects current employees from being forced to retire during the first three years after the law takes effect, giving them time to plan their careers.

Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act

Pascrell, Bill

Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act This bill expands the definition of law enforcement officer under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Specifically, the bill expands the definition to include (1) federal employees whose duties encompass the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted criminals and who are authorized to carry a firearm; (2) Internal Revenue Service employees whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns; (3) U.S. Postal Inspection Service employees; (4) Department of Veterans Affairs police officers; and (5) certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who are seized-property specialists with duties relating to custody, management, and disposition of seized and forfeited property. The bill deems service performed by an incumbent law enforcement officer on or after the enactment date of this bill to be service performed as a law enforcement officer for retirement purposes. The past service of such incumbents shall be treated as service performed by a law enforcement officer for retirement purposes only if a written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management within five years after the enactment of this bill or before separation from government service, whichever is earlier. An incumbent who makes an election before the enactment of this bill may pay a deposit into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund to cover prior service. A law enforcement officer shall not be subject to mandatory separation during the three-year period beginning on the enactment of this bill.