Lawmakers examine lowering retirement age for first responders

By Lydia Nusbaum

Published Mar. 28, 2023, 1:26 p.m. ET | Updated Mar. 29, 2023

Taken in Fort Bragg, Calif., Dec, 16, 2019. (Photo/Anukrati Omar)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – House lawmakers considered Tuesday whether to lower the retirement age for first responders and law enforcement.

Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, R-Coral Gables, sponsored the proposal, which passed through the House Appropriations Committee.

It would reduce the years of service for law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and emergency medical technicians reach full retirement from 30 to 25 years.

The proposal also reduces the retirement age from 60 years old to 55 years old.

“Our first responders face immeasurable stress every day to keep us safe,” Cabrera said in committee. “Those stresses take a toll on the quality of life and reduce time with loved ones.”

The bill sponsor cited a 2013 life expectancy study, which showed police officers live an average of 21.9 years less compared to the population.

“It’s time for us to restore full retirement benefits to our first responders and do what we can to protect those who protect us,” she said.

It also restores the 3% cost-of-living adjustment, which was eliminated for Florida Retirement System pension members in 2011, according to the bill sponsor.

“Restoring the cola will help our retired teachers, first responders, state and local employees fight the rising inflation in our country,” Cabrera said.

It increases the amount of time all eligible members can participate in the Deferred Retirement Option Program from five to eight years.

The bill sponsor said the Florida Legislature in 2022 increased the employer contribution on behalf of members by 3%.

The bill increases the contribution amount by another 1%, bringing the total contribution to 7.3% for regular class members and 15% for law enforcement and first responders.

Matthew Cowart International Union of Police Associations spoke in support of the proposal.

“Florida is the model state for public safety because of the work that our special risk class members do but also because of the bills you all file and support,” Cowart said.