Bill · H.R. 4195· House(119-HR-4195)
the Foreign Service Voluntary Early Retirement Authority Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 6/26/2025
- Last activity
- 6/26/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Eleanor Norton
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Foreign Service Voluntary Early Retirement Authority Act of 2025, aims to modify voluntary retirement requirements for members of the Foreign Service. It proposes new criteria for participants to receive an annuity upon separation from the service or other agencies using the Foreign Service personnel system. Under these changes, eligible participants must be at least 43 years of age and have at least 15 years of creditable service. The new rules apply during periods of substantial workforce restructuring or when positions are becoming surplus. The Act also includes provisions for funding these benefits and expresses a desire for retirees to retain health care benefits.
Yes
Would retired people be better off under this?+6
The bill facilitates early retirement annuities and aims to preserve healthcare benefits for retirees.
Would people in middle age be better off under this?+5
The bill targets individuals at least 43 years old with significant service history for early retirement.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Early Retirement Annuities: Participants who are at least 43 years old with at least 15 years of service may be entitled to an annuity if they are separated during periods of substantial reorganization, reductions in force, or when positions become surplus (Section 2(a)(2)). This provides a retirement option for those facing workforce changes or job surpluses.
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Financial Backstop: If the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund lacks sufficient funds, the bill allows for the use of the general fund of the Treasury to pay benefits (Section 2(b)(2)). This ensures that entitled retirees can receive their payments even if specific funds are inadequate.
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Retention of Health Care: It is the sense of Congress that individuals receiving these annuities should be eligible to keep their health care benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program if they were enrolled at the time of separation (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Requirement for Approval: To receive an annuity under the new subsection, a participant must submit an application and obtain the consent of the Secretary or the head of the agency (Section 2(a)(2)). This means retirement is not automatic and requires official permission.
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Strict Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the new retirement provisions, a person must meet specific age (at least 43), service (at least 15 years), and agency-specific circumstances such as workforce restructuring or surplus positions (Section 2(a)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+6Good For Middle Aged+5
- 6/26/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E626)
- Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House