To extend the break-in-service consideration for firefighter retirements, and other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4672
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-12T20:46:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, H.R. 4672, aims to update retirement benefits for federal firefighters under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). It expands the definition of who qualifies as a "firefighter" for retirement credit purposes and allows for more flexible treatment of breaks in service (periods when an employee is not actively working for the federal government). The goal is to ensure that firefighters, particularly those handling wildland fires, can accrue service time toward retirement more equitably, even if they have short interruptions in employment.
Key Provisions
- Expanded Definition of "Firefighter":
- Includes employees whose primary duties involve controlling and extinguishing nonwildland fires (e.g., urban or structural fires) or wildland fires (e.g., forest or grassland fires).
- Duties must be physically demanding, limiting hires to young and vigorous individuals, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director with input from the employing agency.
- Covers supervisory or administrative roles if the employee has at least 3 years of direct firefighting experience and no break in service (for nonwildland) or no more than 24 months total breaks in service (for wildland).
- Retroactive Service Credit:
- Applies to service performed from October 1, 2003, to the day before the bill's enactment.
- Eligible individuals (current federal employees) can claim this service as firefighter time if they had breaks that previously disqualified them, but would qualify under the new rules.
- Requires: (1) Submitting a written election to the relevant agency before separation from service; (2) Paying back additional employee contributions (under FERS rules) plus interest; and (3) The agency paying matching government contributions plus interest to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
- OPM must notify and assist eligible individuals, including coordinating with the Departments of Agriculture and Interior for verification.
- No impact on Thrift Savings Plan (a federal 401(k)-style savings program) contributions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 8401(14) of Title 5, U.S. Code, which previously defined "firefighter" more narrowly, focusing mainly on nonwildland roles and requiring continuous service without breaks for supervisory positions.
- Introduces a 24-month total allowance for breaks in service specifically for wildland firefighters transitioning to supervisory roles— a new flexibility not previously available.
- Adds retroactive crediting of past service (post-2003), which was not possible before, provided payments are made to "buy back" the time (a common FERS process where employees pay to count prior service).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies like the Departments of Agriculture (e.g., Forest Service) and Interior (e.g., Bureau of Land Management) may face increased administrative burdens for processing elections and payments. They will also need to remit additional contributions to retirement funds, potentially raising short-term costs.
- On Citizens: Primarily benefits federal firefighters by improving retirement annuity calculations (pensions), leading to higher lifetime benefits for those with past breaks in service. This could enhance recruitment and retention in physically demanding roles but has no direct international effects.
- On Retirement System: Could increase payouts from the Civil Service Retirement Fund, affecting long-term federal budget planning, though the scale depends on how many employees elect to buy back service.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Firefighters: Especially wildland firefighters and those in supervisory roles; they gain easier access to enhanced retirement credits (e.g., earlier eligibility or higher benefits under FERS special provisions for public safety workers).
- Employing Agencies: Such as the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and other federal entities hiring firefighters; they handle elections, payments, and notifications.
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM): Oversees implementation, notifications, and fund deposits; must assist with verification.
- U.S. Treasury: Receives additional contributions to the retirement fund, potentially stabilizing it against future liabilities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens FERS equity by addressing gaps in service credit for essential workers, without altering core constitutional principles (e.g., no due process or equal protection issues raised). The buy-back requirement ensures fiscal responsibility, aligning with existing federal retirement laws.
- Constitutional: Neutral; focuses on statutory amendments to employee benefits, not infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Supports public safety personnel amid growing wildland fire risks due to climate change, potentially appealing to bipartisan interests in workforce retention. Could set precedent for similar flexibilities in other high-risk federal jobs, influencing future pension reforms. No major controversies evident in the bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To extend the break-in-service consideration for firefighter retirements, and other purposes. — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (6 pages)