House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
Modifies the two separation allowance options for State law enforcement officers (GS 143-166.41) and local law enforcement officers (GS 143-166.42) as follows. Adds the following criteria for the annual special separation allowance option that is paid at a rate equal to 0.85% of the annual equivalent of the base rate of compensation at the time the officer attained 30 years of service multiplied by 30, so that it now requires that at least 50% of the 30 or more years of the officer’s creditable service prior to attaining 62 years of age which was as a law enforcement officer, or, for State officers, service prior to July 1, 2017, as a probation/parole officer.
Also requires that at least 50% of the of the officer's creditable service be as a law enforcement officer, or, for State officers, for service prior to July 1, 2017, as probation/parole officer as part of the criteria that must be met as part of the annual special separation allowance that is paid equal 0.85% of the annual base rate of compensation most recently applicable to the officer for each year of that officer's creditable service.
Bill Summaries: H50 (2025-2026 Session)
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Bill H 50 (2025-2026)Summary date: Mar 18 2025 - View summary
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Bill H 50 (2025-2026)Summary date: Feb 4 2025 - View summary
Adds an additional separation allowance option (so that there are two in total) for State law enforcement officers (GS 143-166.41) and local law enforcement officers (GS 143-166.42) as follows. For officers meeting all of the following criteria, the annual special separation allowance to be paid is equal to 0.85% of the annual equivalent of the base rate of compensation at the time the officer attained 30 years of service multiplied by 30:
- The officer has completed 30 or more years of creditable service prior to attaining 62 years of age.
- The officer has completed at least five years of continuous service as a law enforcement officer immediately preceding the officer's service retirement. Any break in this required continuous service that is a result of disability retirement or disability salary continuation benefits will not adversely affect an officer's qualification to receive an allowance so long as the officer returned to service within 45 days after the disability benefits had ceased and is otherwise qualified to receive the allowance.
Specifies that if an officer meets the eligibility requirements for both additional separation allowance options, then the employer making the allowance payments will allow the officer to choose which of the two calculation formulas to use for that officer's allowance. Provides that the election by the officer is a one-time, irrevocable election and must be made prior to the first allowance payment. Sets the additional separation allowance option described above as the default option if no election is made by the officer. Sets the cessation date for the additional separation allowance option for reasons other than death as the time when the officer has undergone a period of receiving the allowance that is the equivalent to the total of 62 years of age minus the age which the officer first completed 30 years of creditable service.
Adds defined terms allowance, law enforcement officer, officer, and probation/parole officer (G 143-166.41 only). Makes organizational, clarifying, and technical changes.
Applies to law enforcement officers retiring on or after July 1, 2025.