H.R. 4672: To extend the break-in-service consideration for firefighter retirements, and other purposes.
Sponsor
Josh Harder
Democrat · CA-9
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jul 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Wildland firefighters shouldn't lose retirement credit over a gap
Why it matters
Federal wildland firefighters earn an enhanced retirement — earlier eligibility and a bigger annuity — for years spent on the fire line. But move into a supervisory job after a break in service, and that special credit can vanish. H.R. 4672 lets up to 24 months of total breaks count, and reopens lost credit for service going back to October 1, 2003.
Right now, federal firefighters get special retirement treatment: they can retire earlier and collect a larger annuity than most federal workers. To keep it after moving into a supervisory or administrative job, the old rule demanded an unbroken record — any break in service could disqualify you.
H.R. 4672 loosens that for wildland firefighters. If you put in at least 3 years of wildland fire work, you can still qualify in a supervisory or administrative role as long as your breaks in service total no more than 24 months. The stricter no-break standard stays in place for nonwildland firefighters.
The bill also reaches backward. A current federal employee can reclaim credit for qualifying service performed between October 1, 2003, and the day before the bill becomes law — but only if it failed to count solely because of a break in service that now fits under the 24-month rule.
The credit isn't automatic. You have to file a written election before you leave federal service and pay the retirement deductions that would have come out of your paycheck, plus interest. Your former agency then owes its share of the missed contributions, also with interest. OPM is directed to notify people who qualify and help them pull verification records from the Agriculture or Interior departments.
H.R. 4672 Bill Summary
What H.R. 4672 actually does.
Wildland supervisors can have up to 24 months of breaks
A wildland firefighter who served at least 3 years on fire duties can qualify for firefighter retirement treatment in a supervisory or administrative position even with breaks in service, as long as those breaks total no more than 24 months.
Nonwildland firefighters keep the stricter no-break rule
For nonwildland firefighters, the standard is unchanged: at least 3 years of work directly connected to controlling and extinguishing fires, followed by a direct move into a supervisory or administrative job with no break in service.
Lost credit can be reclaimed back to October 1, 2003
A federal employee on the date the bill becomes law can seek credit for service performed between October 1, 2003, and enactment if that service missed firefighter status only because of a break in service and would now qualify under the new 24-month rule.
You must elect the credit before you leave
Eligible employees have to submit a written election before separating from service. If they no longer work for the agency where the service happened, they file the election with that former agency instead. The benefit isn't granted automatically.
Back payments come with interest
To get the added credit, the employee pays the additional retirement deductions that would have been withheld, plus interest. The former employing agency separately owes the federal contributions it would have paid, also with interest, sent to OPM for the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
OPM must find eligible workers and help verify records
OPM is directed to inform people who qualify of their rights and, on request, help them obtain verification records from the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior, which hold the service histories needed to prove eligibility.
Who benefits from H.R. 4672?
Wildland firefighters who moved into supervisory roles
Crew members who put in years on the fire line and later took supervisory or administrative jobs can keep or regain their enhanced firefighter retirement even if they had breaks in service, as long as those breaks total no more than 24 months.
Firefighters with service gaps since 2003
Current federal employees whose service between October 1, 2003, and enactment failed to count only because a break in service exceeded the old standard — but fits the new 24-month cap — can have that time restored for retirement.
Employees whose records sit at Agriculture or Interior
Wildland fire personnel often work for the Forest Service or Interior agencies. The bill directs OPM to help pull verification records from those departments, easing the burden of proving service from years ago.
Firefighters nearing retirement
People still in federal service when the bill becomes law can improve their annuity if they file the written election before separating and pay the required deductions plus interest.
Who is affected by H.R. 4672?
Office of Personnel Management
OPM must notify people who qualify, help verify records with Agriculture and Interior, receive agency remittances, and oversee deposits into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
Current and former employing agencies
Agencies must process written elections and, for restored prior service, remit the additional employer retirement contributions that would have been due, plus interest.
Nonwildland federal firefighters
The bill leaves their tougher standard in place: at least 3 years of qualifying duties, a direct transfer into a supervisory or administrative position, and no break in service.
Employees seeking retroactive credit
They have to act. The bill requires a written election before separation and payment of the added employee deductions with interest, so nothing happens unless the worker initiates it and pays in.
HR4672 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Jul 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
About the Sponsor
Josh Harder
Democrat, California's 9th congressional district · 7 years in Congress
Committees: Appropriations
View full profile →
Cosponsors (2)
All 2 cosponsors are Republicans. Cosponsors represent 2 states: Florida, Pennsylvania.
Committee Sponsors
Oversight and Government Reform Committee
0 of 47 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
21 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 4672 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Oversight and Government Reform
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Government Operations and Politics
- Introduced
- Jul 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Jul 23, 2025
Official Sources
Official congressional bill page with status, text, sponsors, and actions for HR4672.
The statutory definition of firefighter the bill rewrites, including the new 24-month break-in-service allowance for wildland personnel.
FERS employee deduction rules the bill cites for the retroactive payments an employee must remit to reclaim credit.
FERS government-contribution rules the bill cites for the missed employer share an agency must remit for restored prior service.
Contains the section 8334(e) interest calculation the bill applies to both employee and agency retroactive payments.
Official Forest Service wildland fire program; Agriculture holds the service records the bill directs OPM to help verify.
Official Interior wildland fire office; Interior holds service records the bill directs OPM to help affected employees obtain.
H.R. 4672 Common Questions
Can federal wildland firefighters reclaim retirement credit lost back to 2003?
Yes. H.R. 4672 lets a current federal employee claim firefighter retirement credit for qualifying service performed from October 1, 2003, through the day before enactment, if it was denied only because of a break in service.
How long a break in service does H.R. 4672 allow for wildland firefighters?
Up to 24 months total. A wildland firefighter who served at least 3 years on fire duties can qualify for firefighter retirement in a supervisory or administrative role as long as breaks in service add up to no more than 24 months.
Do I have to pay anything to get the retroactive firefighter retirement credit?
Yes. You pay the additional retirement deductions that would have come out of your paycheck during that service, plus interest. Your former agency separately owes its share of the missed federal contributions, also with interest.
Can I elect retroactive firefighter retirement credit after I leave federal service?
No. Under H.R. 4672, you must submit the written election before you separate from federal service. The credit isn't available once you've already left.
Which agency do I file with if my wildland firefighter service was at a different agency?
If you no longer work for the agency where the service happened, H.R. 4672 says you file the written election with that former agency.
Does H.R. 4672 change the no-break rule for nonwildland firefighter supervisors?
No. Nonwildland firefighters still must move directly into a supervisory or administrative role after at least 3 years of service, with no break in service.
Can OPM help me get Agriculture or Interior records to prove eligibility?
Yes. H.R. 4672 directs OPM to notify people who qualify and, on request, help them obtain verification records from the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior.
Does H.R. 4672 require extra Thrift Savings Plan contributions?
No. The bill explicitly says it does not permit or require any Thrift Savings Fund contributions that wouldn't otherwise apply.
Based on H.R. 4672 bill text
H.R. 4672 Bill Text
“To extend the break-in-service consideration for firefighter retirements, and other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Get notified when H.R. 4672 moves
Committee votes, floor action, cosponsor changes — straight to your inbox.
Bill alerts + Legisletter's monthly briefing. Unsubscribe anytime.
Government Operations and Politics Bills
9 related bills we're tracking
Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 6, 2025
Rights for the TSA Workforce Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
Mar 11, 2025
Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 30, 2025
SAVE America Act
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Jan 30, 2026
SAVE Act
Received in the Senate.
Apr 10, 2025
Saving the Civil Service Act
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 492, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Sep 16, 2025
Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Aug 5, 2025
SHARE Act of 2025
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 25, 2025
End Crypto Corruption Act of 2025
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 71.
May 8, 2025
Trending Right Now
Bills gaining momentum across Congress
AADAPT Act
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
May 21, 2026
Life at Conception Act
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 24, 2025
West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 28, 2025
Tracking Government Operations and Politics in Congress? Monitor bills, track cosponsor momentum, and launch advocacy campaigns — all from one advocacy platform.