The government has announced legislative changes that will expand early pension eligibility for federal front-line workers, including firefighters, paramedics and border services officers.
In a significant victory for Federal Retirees and its labour partners, the federal government has expanded early retirement eligibility to certain front-line occupational groups.
A special retirement benefit, which allows plan members to retire after completing 25 years of operational service, or at age 50 with at least 10 years of actual and 10 years of “deemed” operational service, is currently available to correctional service workers.
There is a similar provision available to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. These are also similar to provisions offered to many front-line workers across the country at the provincial level.
For several years, Federal Retirees and labour partners have worked to expand this program to include federal front-line employees with demanding duties who have a critical role in promoting and protecting the safety and security of Canadians.
Finally, June 13, 2024, on the recommendation of the Public Service Pension Advisory Committee, the government announced plans to introduce legislation in the fall to expand earlier pension eligibility to the following groups:
- Firefighters (federal and territorial governments)
- Paramedics (territorial governments)
- Correctional service employees (territorial governments)
- Border services officers (federal government)
- Parliamentary protection officers (federal government)
- Search and rescue technicians (federal government)
Federal Retirees is eagerly anticipating and will thoroughly review the legislation. Further information will be provided to members as it becomes available.
For further information, refer to the backgrounder from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.