Rep. Pyrtle files bill in North Carolina House on law enforcement retirement benefits

A new bill filed by State Rep. A. Reece Pyrtle Jr. seeks to allow some state and local law enforcement officers to continue receiving retirement benefits while working beyond a certain age, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 753 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘LEOs Return to Work.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill allows certain state and local law enforcement officers, including justice officers, to receive retirement benefits while remaining in service after reaching 59.5 years of age, or return to service after retirement and continue receiving benefits without making further employee contributions. If an officer separates from service without dying, they will be treated as retired. The bill negates eligibility for disability benefits under specific plans while receiving a retirement allowance. It reallocates employer responsibilities, provides fund appropriations, and addresses the costs of the change. Effective October 1, 2025, some provisions will expire on December 31, 2029, unless otherwise noted.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Charles W. Miller proposed the most bills (34) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Pyrtle graduated from Appalachian State University in 1989 with a BAS.

Pyrtle, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 65th House district, replacing previous state representative Jerry Carter.