OPM Proposes 2022 RETIRE Act Rules for Injured First Responders

3 articles · Updated · Government Executive · Jul 21

A proposed rule due Wednesday would let injured federal first responders keep accelerated retirement eligibility after moving to other government jobs, finally implementing the 2022 First Responders Fair RETIRE Act.
The fix targets workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters and air traffic controllers who paid higher pension contributions but previously lost early-retirement treatment if duty injuries forced them out of covered roles.
OPM said eligibility would require a duty-related injury, permanent inability to return to the original post, covered-service status and no prior qualification for voluntary or mandatory retirement.
The proposal also allows workers who leave federal service before retirement age to recover the extra 0.5 percentage point they paid toward accelerated retirement benefits.
OPM declined to regulate a separate congressional statement urging agencies to keep injured workers in the same agency, location and comparable pay, saying it lacks authority there, though comments are open until Sept. 30.