119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 9654
This bill makes technical corrections to federal survivor benefit programs for District of Columbia police officers, firefighters, and teachers. The legislation updates benefit rules to treat domestic partners the same as spouses when determining survivor benefit eligibility, aligning federal benefits with how the District of Columbia already treats domestic partnerships. The bill also raises the age at which surviving spouses can remarry without losing benefits from the current standard to age 55, matching the federal employee benefit standard, though with an exception allowing benefits to continue for those who remarried before age 55 if they were married at least 30 years to the deceased officer, firefighter, or teacher. Additionally, the bill clarifies rules allowing federal employees who worked for the District to make service deposits toward their federal retirement benefits. The legislation does not specify new funding amounts or implementation timelines beyond referencing existing federal retirement system procedures.