MaineAirport firefighters may qualify for retirement after 25 years with federal funding
Starting October 1, 2026, airport firefighters may qualify for retirement after 25 years of service if the federal government pays the full employer cost each year.
What it does
A special plan lets covered airport firefighters qualify for a service retirement benefit after 25 years of creditable service, at any age, if the federal government pays the full employer cost each year.
Qualifying firefighters receive a benefit based on half their average final pay, with an additional 2% for each year of membership service beyond the 25 years used to qualify.
Covered firefighters contribute 8.65% of their pay until they complete 25 years of creditable service, then contribute 7.65%.
Argument forFirefighters who meet the service requirement may qualify to retire without reaching a set age, giving long-serving workers an earlier path to retirement.
Argument againstThe required contributions could leave covered firefighters with less take-home pay until they complete 25 years of creditable service.
More detail
The law provides a special retirement plan with a service retirement benefit after 25 years of creditable service. The plan covers firefighters employed by the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management at Bangor International Airport on or after July 1, 1998. The federal government must pay the retirement system the full employer cost each year for these employees. Service credit generally must come from the covered job. Repaid refunds for earlier service in that job and certain credit bought under section 17760 also count; other purchased credit does not. The plan takes effect October 1, 2026.
The law sets the service retirement benefit at half of a member’s average final compensation, plus 2% of that amount for each year of membership service beyond the years used to qualify. The formula applies to members who qualify for benefits under the special plan. The extra 2% applies only to membership service not used to meet the 25-year qualification requirement. The formula applies to benefits under the plan that takes effect October 1, 2026.
Covered members must contribute 8.65% of their earnable pay until they complete 25 years of creditable service, then 7.65%. These rates apply to members in the covered airport firefighter positions. Members contribute directly or have the contributions made on their behalf. The rates apply after September 30, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16Signed by Governor Janet MillsLatest
- Apr 13PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.Major
- Apr 13Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 13ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-217) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-679) thereto.Minor
- Apr 13Sent down for concurrence.
- Apr 13PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-217) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-679) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE.Minor
- Apr 13Committee Amendment "A" (H-217) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-679) thereto ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 13On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-679) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-217) READ and ADOPTED.
- Apr 13On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (H-217) was ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 13On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-217) in concurrence.Minor
- Apr 13On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table
- 2025
- Jun 25CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- May 28On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence
- May 28Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- May 28PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- May 27Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-217) in concurrence.Minor
- May 27Committee Amendment "A" (H-217) READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- May 27Bill READ ONCE.Minor
- May 27On motion by Senator TIPPING of Penobscot the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED.
- May 27Reports Read
- May 22Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- May 22The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-217).Minor
- May 22Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- May 22Committee Amendment "A" (H-217) was READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- May 22The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- May 22On motion of Representative ROEDER of Bangor, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
- May 22Reports READ.
- May 20Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
- Apr 16Voted - Divided Report
- Apr 16Work Session Held
- Mar 25The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on LABOR in concurrenceMinor
- Mar 25Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Mar 25The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on LABOR.Minor
- Mar 25Committee on Labor suggested and ordered printed.Introduced
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