LEO Retirement: What is it?

John Faith
May 8, 2014

What is LEO Retirement?

When it comes to has ‘earned’ their LEO retirement Federal Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) are at the top of the list. I believe it is more than fair to say that law enforcement is hazardous duty. LEO retirement, therefore, is an reward for navigating hazards that are much more dangerous than your typical 9-5 job. Law enforcement because of the nature of the work also requires physical vigor normally associated with adults between the ages of 21 years of age and those who have not yet reached age 37 upon employment in law enforcement.

Since LEOs must meet some rather stringent requirements for employment, they are also entitled to retire early as a normal part of the provisions of the LEO retirement guidelines. LEO retirement; at age 50 with 20 years of service LEOs can retire with full benefits. They can retire at any age with 25 years of service.. Only 20 of those years must be in a covered position. In summary as long as an LEO has 20 years of covered service, he/she only needs to work an additional 5 years in any federal position to retire with a full, unreduced annuity.

For calculation purposes, all years worked will be covered under special LEO retirement provisions. Individuals in law enforcement who do not qualify as LEOs for retirement purposes, will have their annuity benefits calculated under regular FERS guidelines.

The concern for individuals working in law enforcement who do not qualify as LEOs is that they do not reap the same retirement benefits as qualifying LEOs who have the advantage of a more generous calculation profile.

P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.

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