Section 535 of Division E, Public Law 110-161, which was enacted on December 26, 2007, established special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs), and became effective July 6, 2008. The CBPO retirement coverage is similar to that applicable to law enforcement officers and firefighters. The new provisions provide a more generous retirement benefit.
This guidance applies to you if you were hired as a CBPO between December 27, 2007, and July 6, 2008, and you will be covered by the new CBPO retirement coverage which becomes effective July 6, 2008.
Beginning July 6, 2008, you will automatically be covered under the new provisions. You do not need to take any action and you may not opt out.
The new law defines a CBPO as an employee:
- Who holds a position within the GS-1895 job series, or any future reclassifications of this position; and
- Whose duties include activities relating to the arrival and departure of persons, conveyances, and merchandise at Ports of Entry.
- Also included in this definition are employees within the Department of Homeland Security who transfer directly to secondary supervisory or administrative positions after performing the above CBPO duties for a period of at least 3 years.
The following chart highlights the key provisions of this new legislation which is effective July 6, 2008, and the impact it has on you.
| Provisions | CBPO's Hired Between December 27, 2007 and July 6, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Effective Date of Change | Your retirement coverage will change effective with the pay period beginning July 6, 2008. |
| Opt Out | Not applicable to those CBPOs hired between December 27, 2007 and July 6, 2008. |
| Contribution Rate | Your employee retirement contribution rate will increase by ½ of 1% (.5%) effective July 6, 2008. |
| Basic Pay | Your rate of basic pay will not be affected. |
| Retirement Benefit | Beginning July 6, 2008, your retirement benefit for all service as a CBPO, up to 20 years, will be calculated based upon the special provisions rate for CBPO retirement coverage. |
| Maximum Entry Age | Maximum entry age does not apply to CBPOs who are onboard on or before July 5, 2008. |
| Mandatory Retirement Age | Mandatory retirement ages does not apply to CBPOs who are onboard on or before July 5, 2008. |
| Early Optional Retirement Eligibility | Under CSRS, CBPOs may retire at age 50 with a minimum of 20 years of service in a covered position after July 6, 2008; and under FERS, a CBPO may retire at age 50 with a minimum of 20 years or at any age with 25 years of service in a covered position after July 6, 2008. Also, under both CSRS or FERS, covered CBPO service after July 6, 2008, may be combined with service performed in other special retirement categories, including law enforcement officer, fire fighter, nuclear material courier; and, under FERS only, may also be combined with service as member of the Capitol or Supreme Court Police in order to qualify for early optional retirement. |
| Other Benefits | The new CBPO retirement coverage has no effect on your other benefits. |
| Overtime and Premium Pay | The new CBPO retirement coverage has no effect on your overtime or premium pay. |
Comparative Examples of FERS Retirement Calculations
Demonstrates the impact of eligibility for early optional retirement, and the new CBPO retirement accrual rate of 1.7%
Two employees are hired on January 6, 2008. One is hired subject to the retirement provisions for regular employees and the other is hired as a CBPO. Both employees are 27 years old and have no prior Federal service. Each has a high three average pay of $100,000 at the time of retirement.
| Annuity | Regular FERS Employee | CBPO FERS Employee |
|---|---|---|
| Earliest Eligibility for Unreduced Annuity | On January 5, 2038 at a Minimum Retirement Age (MRA), in this example, age 57 with 30 years of service | On July 5, 2031, at age 50 with 23.5 years of service as a CBPO |
| Annuity Estimate | 1% * $100,000 * 30 years = $30,000 | 1.7% * $100,000 * 20 years = $34,000 plus 1% x $100,000 x 3.5 years = $3,500 = $37,500 |
In the previous example, the regular FERS employee is not eligible for optional retirement until nearly 7 years after the CBPO who has only 23 years of service. Further, although the CBPO is retiring earlier, he/she will receive a higher annuity. The CBPO earns retirement benefits at the rate of one percent a year for the six months from January 6, 2008 through July 5, 2008, and for each of the three years beyond the first 20 years of CBPO service after July 6, 2008.
Demonstrates how the new CBPO retirement coverage increases a FERS annuity for service accrued beginning July 6, 2008
When he is hired as a CBPO on January 6, 2008, George is 41 years old and has 14.5 years of creditable service under regular FERS, which includes 10 years of military service for which he has paid the deposit. George works for 6 months prior to the July 6, 2008, effective date of the CBPO retirement coverage, which gives him a total of 15 years of creditable service prior to July 6, 2008. George's high three average pay is $100,000 at the time of retirement. The following example compares George's annuity benefits under the law enacting CBPO retirement coverage with the benefits he would have received had the law enacting CBPO retirement coverage not been enacted.
Annuity Comparison of 30 Years of Regular FERS to 15 Years of CBPO FERS Retirement Coverage and 15 Years of Regular FERS
| Annuity | Regular FERS Employee | CBPO FERS Employee |
|---|---|---|
| Earliest Eligibility for Unreduced Annuity | Age 56 and 6 months Date of birth in 1967 30 years of service | Age 56 and 6 months Date of birth in 1967 30 years of service |
| Annuity Estimate | 1% * $100,000 * 30 years = $30,000 | 1% * $100,000 * 15 years = $15,000 plus 1.7% x $100,000 x 15 years = $25,500 = $40,500 |
Note: Unless the individual meets the requirements for CBPO retirement coverage, or another special retirement category, a FERS employee who retires at age 62 with at least 20 years of creditable service is entitled to computation at a 1.1 percent rate per year, instead of 1 percent.
For additional resources available to support you in understanding how the law affects your retirement benefits, visit the Retirement and Benefits Portal.
