On August 20, 2001, the President signed the Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act (as of the date of this BAL, no public law number has been assigned). This law increases the mandatory separation age of firefighters under CSRS and FERS to age 57. Prior to the enactment of the Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act, firefighters were subject to mandatory separation at age 55.

The Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act was effective on the date of signing. Any notice of mandatory separation of a firefighter with the date of separation on or after August 20, 2001, is ineffective and the employee may continue to work in his or her firefighting position. Any mandatory separation at age 55 after the enactment of Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act will be an erroneous separation subject to cancellation. Alternatively, the employee may elect to accept voluntary retirement under the CSRS or FERS firefighter retirement provisions.

Mary Ellen Wilson, Director Retirement Policy Center Retirement and Insurance Service