Rosen, Sullivan Introduce Bill to Increase Mandatory Foreign Service Retirement Age, Allow Them to Qualify for Full Social Security Benefits

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), along with Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Dave McCormick (R-PA), introduced a bill to increase the mandatory retirement age for America's diplomats. The bipartisan Foreign Service Age Integration and Reform (FAIR) Act would help the State Department's foreign service retain experienced personnel, reduce training costs, and ensure that officers receive full social security benefits.

Under the Foreign Service Act of 1980, career members of the Foreign Service are forced to retire by the end of the month they turn 65, consistent with Social Security's Full Retirement Age (FRA) in place at the time the law was enacted. Despite the FRA changing to 67 in 1983, the mandatory retirement age for the Foreign Service has remained the same. The FAIR Act would realign the Foreign Service mandatory retirement age with the FRA, increasing the mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67 and increasing it if the FRA increases in the future.

"Our Foreign Service Officers are crucial to America's global leadership, acting as the face of the U.S. across the world," said Senator Rosen. "It is critical that we keep a strong and capable force abroad, while also guaranteeing that they are taken care of once they are ready to step down. I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to ensure our Foreign Service Officers can qualify for full Social Security benefits in their retirement."

"The men and women of the Foreign Service are the backbone of our foreign policy," said Senator Sullivan. "This common-sense legislation, which doesn't cost the taxpayers, will align mandatory retirement for the Foreign Service with the Social Security retirement age-allowing our country to get the benefit of experience and making sure our Foreign Service officers qualify for full Social Security benefits when they retire."

"Our Foreign Service officers and State Department officials carry out vital functions including assisting U.S. citizens and promoting American values abroad," said Senator Van Hollen. "This bipartisan legislation will help maintain a qualified diplomatic corps while ensuring our foreign service officers are afforded full Social Security benefits after dedicating their careers to serving our country."

"I am proud to support the FAIR Act. This bi-partisan, common sense legislation will match the mandatory retirement age for career diplomats with Social Security's Full Retirement Age," said Senator McCormick. "Our dedicated foreign service officers have spent years mastering foreign languages and building deep expertise in regions around the world. At a time when American leadership abroad has never been more critical, we cannot afford to lose that experience prematurely."

"The current Foreign Service mandatory retirement age of 65 effectively sidelines our most experienced diplomats prematurely," said John Dinkelman, President of the American Foreign Service Association. "Raising the mandatory retirement age to 67 is a practical, long overdue step that keeps vital expertise in service of U.S. foreign policy and the American People."

As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Rosen has worked hard to ensure that the US maintains a strong global presence. Last Congress, she helped pass critical aid in response to humanitarian crises around the world. She's also been a vocal supporter of USAID, criticizing the Trump Administration's decision to dismantle the program last February. Senator Rosen has also worked to protect and expand access to critical earned benefits, like social security.

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