Olszewski, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan FAIR Act to Support America’s Diplomats

(Washington, DC) - U.S. Congressmen Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) and Mike Lawler (NY-17) today introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the U.S. Foreign Service by retaining experienced personnel, reducing training costs, and ensuring career diplomats are able to receive their full earned retirement benefits.

The Foreign Service Age Integration and Reform (FAIR) Act would raise the mandatory retirement age for America's diplomats from 65 to 67- aligning it with the full Social Security retirement age (FRA). The legislation also ensures the retirement age for Foreign Service Officers automatically adjusts alongside any future changes to the FRA, which is the age in which retirees are eligible to receive 100 percent of their benefits.

"America's diplomats dedicate their careers to advancing our national security, protecting American interests abroad, and representing the very best of our country," said Congressman Olszewski. "This bipartisan, commonsense legislation reflects modern workforce realities and ensures experienced professionals are not forced out of service before they are eligible to receive their full Social Security benefits. It's a practical solution that strengthens national interest and supports the people who serve it."

"Modernizing our Foreign Service is essential to supporting the dedicated Americans who serve our country abroad. By aligning the Foreign Service retirement age with Social Security's standard, this legislation ensures we retain experienced diplomats, strengthen institutional knowledge, and promote continuity in our foreign policy efforts," said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

"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."

The FAIR Act is the House companion to bipartisan legislation, S. 4002 introduced last month by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Dave McCormick (R-PA).

By allowing seasoned diplomats to continue serving longer, the legislation helps preserve institutional knowledge, reduce costly turnover and retraining, and maintain a strong, experienced diplomatic corps at a time of growing global challenges.