Rep. Neguse Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors in Federal Retirement Benefit Claims Process
Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse introduced the bipartisan Federal Retirement Safety Act, a bill that allows survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence to maintain privacy and confidentiality from their abusers when accessing their hard-earned retirement benefits.
Under current processes, retiring federal employees must obtain written, notarized consent from a current or former spouse if they change or update their retirement benefits distribution. This paperwork includes sensitive personal information, such as phone numbers and home addresses, which, if shared, endangers survivors of spousal abuse.
The Federal Retirement Safety Act protects survivors by directing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to waive the spousal consent requirement for individuals impacted by domestic and intimate partner violence, similarly to what is already available to others in the event of extenuating circumstances like the death of a spouse or an inability to determine their whereabouts.
“Our bill is a common-sense and critical reform that protects survivors of domestic violence, ensuring they can maintain their privacy from those who have caused them immense and unimaginable harm. I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues for joining me in this effort to advance the safety of everyone in our community,” said Congressman Joe Neguse.
The bill is co-led by Republican Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (R-OK), as well as Democratic Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), who also serve as Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence.
“Survivors of domestic abuse should have the freedom to access their retirement benefits without exposing their contact information to an abusive partner. Our bill secures essential protections to help survivors fully control the benefits they have earned without endangering themselves,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore.
“Survivors of domestic violence should never have to choose between their personal safety and accessing the retirement benefits they have rightfully earned. Right now, the process can force survivors to share personal contact information with a current or former spouse, which puts survivors at real risk. That is simply unacceptable. This bill creates a clear exemption so survivors can secure their federal retirement benefits without jeopardizing their safety," said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.
View the Federal Retirement Safety Act one-pager HERE.
Read bill text HERE.
It is endorsed by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Jewish Women International (JWI), Volare (formerly known as the Network for Victim Recovery D.C.), and Futures Without Violence.
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