Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today introduced the Federal Law Enforcement Pension Adjustment Equity Act of 2007. This legislation would amend the Law Enforcement Pay Equity Act of 2000 to permit retirees of the U.S. Park Police and Secret Service Uniformed Division who began their careers before January 1, 1984 to receive increases in their pension benefits proportional to pay increases for active duty servicemen and women. Van Hollen issued the following statement upon introduction of the bill:
“I am proud to introduce the Federal Law Enforcement Pension Adjustment Equity Act of 2007. Retirees of the United States Park Police and the Secret Service Uniformed Division who began their careers before January 1, 1984 were promised that, upon retirement, they would receive increases in their annuities proportional to pay increases for active duty servicemen and women. However, language included in the 2001 Consolidated Appropriations Act specifically denied this promise to this group of retirees as a cost-saving measure.
“As a consequence, these retirees have been denied an annuity increase at great personal financial cost, even though they entered federal uniformed service with the promise that these annuities would be there for them upon retirement. This is a gross injustice to those who put their lives on the line every day in service to their country.
“That is why we are introducing the Federal Law Enforcement Pension Adjustment Equity Act of 2007, to ensure that Congress does what is right, what is just and what is fair. This legislation is bipartisan and should not be controversial. It is my hope that this body can move this bill expeditiously through the legislative process and correct an injustice against uniformed federal personnel who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country.”