Kings County Times

Congressman David Valadao, representing California's 22nd district, has reintroduced the Federal Retirement Fairness Act alongside Congressmen Gerry Connolly of Virginia and Don Bacon of Nebraska. This bipartisan bill seeks to address retirement contribution gaps for federal employees who began their careers in temporary positions. The legislation allows these workers to make catch-up contributions to align their retirement plans with their expectations.

"For too long, federal employees who started their careers in temporary positions have been unfairly penalized when it comes to their retirement benefits," stated Congressman Valadao. "The Federal Retirement Fairness Act is a common sense, bipartisan solution to ensure our hardworking public servants can retire on schedule. I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bill which restores fairness and provides federal employees with the certainty they deserve."

Congressman Connolly emphasized the importance of providing all federal employees with fair retirement opportunities: "No matter how they begin their careers, all federal employees deserve the opportunity to retire on time and with the full benefits they have earned. The federal workforce is our nation’s greatest asset. They serve the American people with dignity and dedication every single day. In this dark and uncertain hour for America’s civil servants, I am proud to join my colleagues in this important effort to guarantee the fair retirements that they deserve."

Echoing these sentiments, Congressman Bacon highlighted concerns raised by postal workers: "Postal workers in my district came to me about this problem, and I couldn’t agree more that we need to allow them, and all federal workers, to make 'catch up' payments as part of their retirement benefits. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in making this right for our federal workforce. They work hard and should be able to get the retirement that that work has earned."

Historically, until 1989, federal employees were permitted by the Office of Personnel Management to make catch-up payments for missed contributions during temporary employment periods. However, this provision was removed following changes in the federal employee retirement system post-1989. The proposed act aims to restore this option for those hired after 1989, enabling them retroactively purchase service time from when they were temporary employees.