North Carolina House Bill 753 allows law enforcement officers to collect retirement benefits while continuing to work

Original title: LEOs Return to Work.

Last action · April 7, 2025: Ref to the Com on Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action)Sponsors: Carson Smith and 33 others

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Introduced

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Floor Vote

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What This Bill Would Do

North Carolina House Bill 753 permits eligible state and local law enforcement officers, justice officers, and sheriffs aged 59.5 or older to begin drawing their retirement allowance while remaining actively employed, or to return to work after a brief separation without stopping their pension benefits. The bill appropriates $10 million in recurring funds to the Department of State Treasurer for implementation costs and includes a sunset date of December 31, 2029.

Why it matters

Changes employment and pension rules for thousands of North Carolina law enforcement personnel by allowing active officers to receive both a salary and a retirement allowance simultaneously, backed by a $10 million recurring annual state .

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

State law enforcement officers

State law enforcement officers aged 59.5 or older may elect to receive retirement allowances while remaining in service or return to work after separation while keeping benefits.

Directly affected

Local law enforcement officers

Local law enforcement officers, justice officers, and sheriffs gain the ability to collect retirement allowances while continuing employment or upon returning to service after a one-month separation.

Directly affected

Local government employers

Local government employers are required to make payments to the Retirement System equal to employer contributions and the employee contributions the member would have made.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to receive retirement benefits while still working under this bill?

State and local law enforcement officers, justice officers, and sheriffs who have reached 59.5 years of age and remain in service can elect to receive retirement allowances without separating from service.

What is the required separation period for retired local officers returning to service?

A retired local law enforcement or justice officer must have a of not less than one month before returning to service while continuing to receive their retirement allowance.

Are officers who elect in-service distributions eligible for disability benefits?

No, members receiving a retirement allowance under these provisions are not eligible to participate in the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina or receive disability benefits under G.S. 128-27.

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

3 actions

Apr 7, 2025House
Ref to the Com on Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Apr 7, 2025House
Passed 1st Reading
Apr 2, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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