Reichert Bill to Protect Public Safety Officers' Retirement Passes House

Press Release

Today, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act (H.R. 2146), introduced by U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) passed the House by a vote of 407 to 5. This bill would ensure fairness for federal public safety officials by allowing them to access retirement savings at the age of 50 after 20 years of service without the application of the 10% tax.

Generally, under current law, a 10% penalty is added on top of normal tax amounts taken out of retirement accounts before the age of 59½. In 2006, Congress recognized that state and local public safety officials should be able to access their accounts without penalty at age 50 due to the fact that many of these officials are eligible to retire at earlier ages due to the unique and hazardous nature of the work they perform. Congressmen Reichert and Pascrell's bill would simply extend this benefit to federal law enforcement and firefighters, who are eligible to retire after 20 years of service at age 50.

Rep. Reichert said, "I spent 33 years in law enforcement. I know from my own experience and those that I worked with just how strenuous of a job protecting our fellow Americans can be. You never know when or what kind of situation you might be called to intervene in. It is taxing both mentally and physically -- sometimes so much so that officers are subject to mandatory retirement at young ages. As a result, they may need to access savings earlier than a standard retirement age. We should ensure they are granted access, without penalty, and that is what this bill does."

"This legislation will finally place federal public safety officers on par with their state and local counterparts, allowing them to fairly access their earned benefits," stated Rep. Pascrell. "The physical demands placed on our public safety officers as they protect our communities often require retirement at an earlier age than other professions, and it's our duty to ensure the tax code treats these brave men and women fairly."

"This legislation is about fairness and bringing equity to the brave men and women who fill the ranks of federal law enforcement agencies," said Federal Law Enforcement Association President Jon Adler. "We are grateful to Reps. Reichert, Pascrell, Reed, and Fitzpatrick for taking the lead on this legislation recognizing the sacrifice and service of America's federal law enforcement officers."

General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters Harold A. Schaitberger said, "On behalf of more than 300,000 men and women who serve on the front lines in protecting our communities, I want to thank and commend Representatives Dave Reichert and Bill Pascrell for their leadership on this important issue. Current law prevents federal fire fighters from accessing their retirement savings even after they have to reached retirement age and separate from service. The Reichert-Pascrell initiative corrects this inequity, and will provide those fire fighters who protect defense installations and other vital federal facilities with a small measure of retirement security."

H.R. 2146 passed the House during National Police Week along with 2 other bills to support law enforcement: the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015, also introduced by Reichert and Pascell and the Don't Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act introduced by Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN).

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