Press Releases

Congressmembers Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), , and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) today introduced the Law Enforcement Officer Fair Retirement Act to guarantee federal law enforcement officers are paid the full compensation they have earned.

Although federal law enforcement officers are expected to respond at any time of the day or night, their overtime compensation is limited due to a technicality under current law. As a result, many federal law enforcement officers and criminal investigators work significant overtime hours each year for which they are not compensated.

The Law Enforcement Officer Fair Retirement Act would address this problem by allowing officers to elect to have the Office of Personnel Management consider the full value of overtime compensation accrued in calculating CSRS/FERS annuity. This is not a pay raise; it will merely ensure all overtime hours worked are counted when calculating retirement benefits for federal law enforcement officers.

“Our federal police and first responders have one of the toughest jobs in America,” said Rep. Pou. “They put their lives on the line every day. So it is unacceptable that an officer serving overtime does not get the full retirement compensation to which they are entitled. Our bill will finally fix this unfortunate loophole so that a federal law enforcement officer receives every cent they’ve earned.”

“Federal law enforcement officers work around the clock to keep us safe, answering the call of duty day and night,” said Rep. Bacon. “The LEO Fair Retirement Act will ensure these overtime hours count towards their retirement benefits, and I am glad to co-lead these efforts to ensure we properly compensate our officers for their service and sacrifice.”

“As the author of the First Responder Fair RETIRE Act, I know the unintended consequences and potential harm caused by a technical loophole in the law and the importance of closing these loopholes to ensure that our first responders get the benefits they deserve. Federal law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day and should not be denied fair compensation and benefits due to a quirk in the law,” said Rep. Connolly. “I am proud to support this vital legislation to restore full benefits to these heroes.”

“Our federal law enforcement officers step up every day, often working long hours in high-risk situations to keep our nation safe. But when their overtime isn’t counted toward retirement, we undermine both their service and their future. This legislation corrects that injustice. As a former federal officer, I’m committed to ensuring that every hour worked is honored—and that our brave men and women in blue receive the full benefits they’ve earned through sacrifice and service,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

“The Law Enforcement Officers Fair Retirement Act is not just sound policy – it’s a matter of principle. For too long, federal law enforcement professionals who have answered the call to serve have faced inequities in how their service is credited toward retirement. This legislation ensures that the brave men and women who put themselves in harm’s way are afforded the fair and honorable retirement they’ve earned. On behalf of FLEOA’s members nationwide, we strongly support this act and urge Congress to do the same,” said Mathew Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).