S.727 - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.727, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act, addresses an inequity in retirement benefits for certain CBP officers. It focuses on officers who received job offers before July 6, 2008, but entered duty after that date. The bill aims to correct the denial of enhanced retirement and annuity benefits to this specific group of officers.
Expected Effects
The bill will ensure that eligible CBP officers receive the minimum annuity amount and are exempt from mandatory retirement requirements. It mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to identify eligible individuals and notify them of the correction. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management will then make the necessary annuity corrections, including retroactive adjustments.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures equitable retirement benefits for CBP officers who were hired under specific circumstances.
- Provides retroactive annuity adjustments for eligible officers who have already retired.
- Offers waivers for maximum entry age requirements to ensure eligibility for immediate retirement.
- Mandates a review of CBP hiring practices to prevent future inequities.
- Improves the morale and financial security of affected CBP officers.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential administrative burden on the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Personnel Management.
- Possible costs associated with retroactive annuity adjustments.
- Risk of errors in identifying and processing eligible individuals.
- May create a precedent for similar corrections in other federal agencies.
- Could be perceived as unfair by other federal employees who do not receive similar benefits.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It seeks to provide fair compensation and benefits to government employees, which can be argued as promoting the general welfare. The bill also falls under Congress's power to regulate the armed forces and provide for their welfare, as CBP officers contribute to national security (Article I, Section 8).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).