Senate Passes Peters Bill to Restore Retirement Benefits for Customs and Border Protections Officers

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, to ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers (CBPOs) receive the retirement benefits they were promised at the start of their service has passed the Senate. The CBPO Retirement Corrections Act addresses a longstanding error in which Customs and Border Protection (CBP) incorrectly informed newly hired officers that they would qualify for proportional annuity benefits-meaning they would not be required to retire at a certain age or complete 20 years of service to access enhanced retirement coverage. More than a decade later, CBP rescinded those benefits, leaving at least 1,352 officers-including 67 in Michigan-facing additional requirements to secure the retirement protections they were originally promised.

"Customs and Border Protection officers safeguard our communities in Michigan and across the nation, ensuring the secure and efficient flow of trade and travel at our ports of entry," said Senator Peters. "These officers made career and retirement decisions based on commitments made to them when they were first hired. This commonsense bill will ensure CBP honors those commitments and delivers the retirement benefits these public servants have rightfully earned through their years of dedicated service."

The legislation directs CBP to identify and notify eligible officers of the correction, restore retirement benefits consistent with the coverage originally promised, provide retroactive annuity adjustments for those who retire before enactment, and authorize the Department of Homeland Security to waive maximum entry age requirements for affected officers.

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