Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act

This bill expands who counts as a federal “law enforcement officer” for retirement. It adds workers whose jobs involve investigating or arresting people and who can carry a firearm, plus certain IRS staff who collect delinquent taxes, Postal Inspection Service employees, Department of Veterans Affairs police officers, and Customs and Border Protection seized‑property specialists. These workers would get the same retirement status as other federal law enforcement officers.

For people already in these jobs when the bill becomes law: all future time on the job will count automatically. Past time can count too if they opt in within five years (or before leaving the job) and decide whether to pay the difference in past retirement contributions; if they don’t pay, their pension would be reduced to make up the gap. Agencies must also pay their share of past contributions over up to 10 years. For three years after the bill becomes law, covered officers would not be forced to retire under the usual mandatory‑separation rules. The Office of Personnel Management would set rules, including for survivor benefits.

• Who is affected:
  • New hires in the listed roles and current workers in those roles.
  • Roles include investigators authorized to carry a firearm, certain IRS staff who collect delinquent taxes, Postal Inspection Service employees, VA police officers, and CBP seized‑property specialists.
• What changes:
  • These jobs qualify for federal law enforcement retirement coverage.
  • Current workers can choose to count past service, with an option to pay missed contributions; if not, benefits are reduced to cover the unpaid amount. Agencies also pay their missed share over time.
  • A three‑year pause on mandatory retirement for covered officers.
• When:
  • Starts on the date the bill becomes law; opt‑in window for past service lasts up to five years (or until leaving the job). Agency back payments can be spread over up to 10 years; the no‑mandatory‑retirement period lasts three years.