Sen. Kennedy files bill in North Carolina Senate on law enforcement retirement benefits

A new bill filed by State Sen. Kennedy seeks to update retirement benefits for law enforcement officers who are members of North Carolina’s retirement systems, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 707 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ’25-Year LEO Retirement With Full Benefits.’

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

In essence, the bill allows law enforcement officers who are members of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System or the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System in North Carolina to retire with unreduced benefits after achieving 25 years of creditable service. The retirement calculations are updated for members retiring on or after Jan. 1, 2026, and involve different percentage calculations based on years of service and age at retirement. For instance, law enforcement officers completing 25 years of service will have their allowances computed at 1.82% and 1.85% of their average final compensation multiplied by their years of service, depending on the system. Special provisions are made for officers retiring early or with prior service before certain dates. The act includes conforming changes to related laws on special separation allowances. Sections involving law enforcement officers take effect Jan. 1, 2026, while other provisions take effect upon becoming law.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Kandie D. Smith proposed the most bills (55) 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.

Garrett graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007 with a BSBA.

Garrett, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 27th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Trudy Wade.