Law Enforcement Officer Mandatory Retirement Age
Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) have a mandatory retirement age and must retire from their covered positions at age 57. If the LEO does not have 20 years of service he/she may continue to work until the last day of the month in which the 20 years is reached. However, the absolute, mandatory retirement age is 60 whether the 20 years have been reached or not.
Further, in order to work until age 60 in a covered position, permission must be granted by the agency head. LEOs contribute 7.5% of pay to the federal retirement fund as opposed to the 7.0% required under regular FERS guidelines.
The extra contribution of .5% allows for the early mandatory retirement of LEOs with full retirement benefits. LEOs are also eligible to continue their life and FEHB (health insurance) into retirement as long as they have been enrolled 5 years prior to retirement and are eligible to retire on an immediate annuity.
Let’s reiterate the fact that mandatory retirement age is for covered positions under LEO guidelines. LEOs must retire from their classification as Law Enforcement Officers at age 57. The mandatory retirement provision does not preclude these employees from seeking employment outside of their LEO classification.