Are there any benefits available to retired law enforcement?

All states and most city and county governments have a retirement system – usually called Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) -- for their employees, including law enforcement personnel. The amount of retirement benefits you're entitled to depends on the number of years you worked in the PERS system, your age when you claim retirement benefits, and the highest average salary level you reached. If you weren't covered by a PERS retirement system, your work for a state or local government would be covered by Social Security. To find out about your PERS eligibility, check with the personnel or benefits office at the agency where you used to work. If you were also a member of a law enforcement officers union or association, they also may be able to answer questions about your benefits.

Even if your law enforcement work was covered by a PERS system, you might also be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits if you did any other paid work – even just part-time or occasional work -- over at least a 10-year period during your working years. The 10 years do not have to be consecutive.