Bill Overview
Title: First Responder Fair RETIRE Act
Description: This act allows disabled federal first responders (e.g., law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, and firefighters) to continue receiving federal retirement benefits in the same manner as though they had not been disabled. Under current law, federal first responders are subject to a mandatory retirement age of 57. To facilitate this earlier retirement, federal first responders are required to pay a greater percentage of their salary towards retirement. Additionally, their annuity amount is calculated at a higher rate than other federal employees. This act allows a federal first responder to remain in the accelerated retirement system if they are placed in another civil service position outside of that system after returning to work from a work-related injury or illness. Further, if such an employee is separated from service before they are entitled to receive an annuity, they may receive a refund of their accelerated contributions.
Sponsors: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Target Audience
Population: Disabled federal first responders
Estimated Size: 100000
- The bill specifically mentions federal first responders, including law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, and firefighters.
- It focuses on those who have become disabled due to work-related injuries or illness.
- Federal first responders are currently required to retire at age 57, and they contribute a higher percentage of their salary for an enhanced retirement benefit.
- The act ensures that disabled first responders who are placed in non-first responder federal jobs or leave federal service can still benefit from the first responder retirement system.
- It allows these individuals to continue receiving retirement benefits as if they were still first responders.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy includes disabled first responders, estimated at around 100,000 individuals in the U.S. These are federal law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, and firefighters who have been injured in the line of duty.
- The policy aims to improve the financial security and retirement benefits for these individuals by allowing them to remain in the accelerated retirement system despite transitioning to other civil service roles or leaving due to disability.
- Given the budget and the population size, the policy is likely to have a 'medium' to 'high' impact on those directly affected, as it provides substantial financial benefits by ensuring continued access to enhanced retirement benefits, which otherwise could have been lost.
- The simulations below provide a diverse range of perspectives, including those unaffected by the policy to some extent, to represent the broader population attention to the first responders' issues.
- Considering cost constraints, the interviews focus on those who might receive different levels of impact, ensuring that both high-impact and no-impact scenarios are covered.
Simulated Interviews
Firefighter (Retired early due to injury) (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act is a lifesaver for me. I worry constantly about financial stability, especially with a family to support.
- Access to my full retirement benefits would mean I'm taken care of, just like when I was on the job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 2 |
Customs Officer (Miami, FL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's stressful to know I might lose benefits due to being reassigned.
- The policy allows me to breathe easier, knowing my financial future is secure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Law Enforcement Officer (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've given my life to service, and this act feels like recognition of that commitment.
- Being able to keep my retirement benefits is a huge relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Firefighter (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I'm not affected right now, it's reassuring to know the support is there if ever needed.
- I think it's important we take care of our own, and this act does that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Federal Law Enforcement Officer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I thought I'd lose everything I worked towards because of my early injury.
- This bill protects my investment into the retirement system, and I'm grateful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Customs Manager (Chicago, IL)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy supports us who've been forced to change roles due to injury.
- I can now retire with the benefits I was promised, maintaining my quality of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Border Patrol Agent (Buffalo, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The transition to a desk job made me worry about retirement benefits.
- Now, the act lets me focus on recovery, not financial status.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Firefighter (Seattle, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 18.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I thought the chronic condition would end my career benefits prematurely.
- This act provides a much-needed financial security net.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 1 |
Retired Firefighter (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sadly, this policy doesn't apply to me, but I'm glad things are changing for those still working.
- Ensuring long-term benefits for younger first responders is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Law Enforcement Officer (Retired due to disability) (Boston, MA)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The thought of not being able to sustain myself due to lost benefits was terrifying.
- This policy allows me to receive the benefits as though I never had to retire.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 1 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $155000000 (Low: $125000000, High: $185000000)
Year 3: $159000000 (Low: $128000000, High: $190000000)
Year 5: $168000000 (Low: $135000000, High: $200000000)
Year 10: $185000000 (Low: $148000000, High: $220000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $240000000, High: $360000000)
Key Considerations
- The number of potentially eligible first responders is a small fraction of the total federal workforce, limiting overall impact.
- The cost is mainly attributed to maintaining enhanced benefits for those transitioning to non-special retirement roles or leaving federal service.
- Ensuring benefits for disabled responders aligns with broader policy goals of fairness and support for federal workers injured on the job.