Federal Retirement Safety Act

The Federal Retirement Safety Act would modify how federal employees and members of Congress can access their lump-sum retirement benefits when they are experiencing domestic violence. Currently, federal law requires spousal notification and consent before an employee can receive a lump-sum retirement payout, a rule designed to protect spouses' financial interests in divorce proceedings. However, this requirement can endanger domestic violence survivors by forcing them to notify or involve an abusive partner, giving the abuser additional control over their finances.

If enacted, this bill would allow the Office of Personnel Management to waive the spousal notification and consent requirements in cases where an employee or member demonstrates that their spouse or former spouse committed domestic violence against them, or that notifying the spouse would pose a safety risk. Employees could qualify by submitting a written self-certification that abuse occurred within the past year, without needing to provide police reports or other documentation that might compromise their safety. The bill would apply to federal retirement systems and would take effect one year after enactment, with the Office of Personnel Management required to issue implementing regulations within that timeframe.