Create a bill similar to HR 2478 Federal Retirement Fairness Act, that allows creditable service for temporary employees serving after 1988.  By changing Section 8411(3) of title 5, United States Code, striking “performed before January 1, 1989,” it would enable thousands of federal employees to make “catch-up payments” towards their retirement if they later became permanent employees.

The federal government employs many temporary or seasonal workers, including firefighters for national parks during the fire season, Census counters and tabulators during the decennial survey, letter carriers, clerks and postmaster reliefs waiting for career positions to become available.. The government used to permit such employees — who could not make retirement contributions — to make “catch-up payments” towards their retirement if they later became permanent employees.

“Many federal employees begin their careers in temporary positions before transitioning to permanent status — so we need to have their backs,” Rep. Kilmer said in a press release. “This bill will ensure that all federal workers, from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and beyond, have the opportunity to to retire at the same time, regardless of how they started their careers.”

“[The bill] allows federal workers, first hired under temporary status, to receive retirement credit for the entirety of their government service,” Rep. Cole said in the same press release. “The existing policy provides no benefit to federal employees or the federal government, but the buy-back option gives workers additional credit toward retirement which is an option they currently do not have available.”