S.Amdt. 3584

The amendment submitted by Mr. Van Hollen aims to add a new subtitle to the bill called the Foreign Service Temporary Early Retirement Authority Act of 2025 (or the FS TERA Act of 2025). Its purpose is to create a temporary early retirement program for specific Foreign Service members.

Key Changes and Additions:

• Early Retirement Access: It authorizes the Secretary and relevant Federal agencies to establish a program allowing Foreign Service members with at least 15 years of service, but less than 20 years, to retire. This is done by removing age requirements and changing the required years of service from 20 to 15 in specific sections of the Foreign Service Act of 1980.

• Eligibility: Eligible members include those who completed 15 years of service before the Act's enactment or those who separated from the Foreign Service on or after January 1, 2025.

• Pay and Benefits:

  • Retired pay will be reduced by 1/12th of 1 percent for every full month the member is short of 240 months of service.
  • It allows eligible individuals who separated on or after January 1, 2025, to continue enrollment in health benefits plans.

• Implementation and Funding:

  • The program's enrollment period expires 12 months after the Act is enacted.
  • Funding for annuities and health benefits can come from existing appropriations for Diplomatic and Consular Programs, the USAID, and other personnel-related accounts.

• Accountability: The Secretary must submit reports to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. These reports must include the number of members who retired (broken down by race, gender, grade, and skill code) and an assessment of staffing levels.