Capitol Police Retirement Reform Act of 2021

Capitol Police Retirement Reform Act of 2021

This bill revises the treatment of overtime pay for members of the U.S. Capitol Police for purposes of calculating certain annuity benefits, including benefits received upon a member's retirement.

Specifically, the bill categorizes overtime pay as basic pay, subject to annual statutory maximums. (Basic pay is used to calculate a member's average earnings amount upon which benefits are based.)

Overtime pay may only be treated as basic pay for purposes of a retirement annuity calculation under the Federal Employees Retirement System if the retiring member has completed at least 15 years of service. Further, such overtime pay may only be treated as basic pay if earned on or after the date of enactment, and only to the extent of the percentage allowable based upon the amount of service as set forth in this bill.

However, 100% of all amounts received as overtime pay by members of the Capitol Police earned on or after the date of enactment are treated as basic pay for purposes of computing

• a disability annuity; and
• a survivor annuity, if based on the service of an individual who dies before separating from service.

Bill 117 HR 4222, also known as the Capitol Police Retirement Reform Act of 2021, aims to make significant changes to the retirement benefits of Capitol Police officers. The bill was introduced in response to the events of January 6, 2021, when Capitol Police officers faced unprecedented challenges while protecting the Capitol building.

One of the key provisions of the bill is to increase the retirement benefits for Capitol Police officers. This includes increasing the amount of money officers receive in retirement, as well as providing additional benefits such as healthcare coverage and disability benefits. The bill also aims to streamline the retirement process for Capitol Police officers, making it easier for them to access their benefits.

In addition to changes in retirement benefits, the bill also includes provisions to improve the working conditions of Capitol Police officers. This includes providing additional training and resources to help officers better handle challenging situations, as well as implementing measures to improve mental health support for officers who may be struggling with the trauma of their experiences. Overall, the Capitol Police Retirement Reform Act of 2021 seeks to recognize the sacrifices and challenges faced by Capitol Police officers in the line of duty, and to provide them with the support and benefits they need to retire with dignity and security. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is seen as a crucial step in ensuring the well-being of Capitol Police officers.