New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., co-sponsor of legislation S.5053B, announced the Senate passage of a bill that would increase the mandatory retirement age for uniformed members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) from 63 to 65 years old.

The legislation recognizes the value of experienced law enforcement professionals and provides the NYPD flexibility to retain skilled officers who wish to continue serving their communities.

“Our police officers dedicate their lives to protecting New Yorkers, often under difficult and dangerous circumstances,” said Addabbo. “This legislation acknowledges that many officers remain fully capable of serving beyond the current retirement age and that their experience, leadership, and institutional knowledge are invaluable assets to the department, the safety of our recruits, and the communities they protect.”

Under the bill, uniformed NYPD members would be permitted to continue serving until age 65. The legislation also allows officers who have not completed 35 years of creditable city service before reaching age 65 to remain employed until they reach that service milestone.

Law enforcement agencies across the nation continue to face recruitment and retention challenges. By allowing veteran officers to remain on the force longer, the bill helps address staffing shortages while improving mentorship opportunities for younger officers entering the profession.

“Experienced officers bring years of training and real-world experience that simply cannot be replaced overnight,” Addabbo said. “Retaining these professionals strengthens both public and new recruit safety, supports workforce stability, and helps reduce the costs associated with recruiting and training new personnel.”

The bill also reflects advances in health, wellness, and longevity that enable many officers to continue performing their duties effectively later in their careers.

“As public safety agencies evolve to present-day needs, our policies need to reflect those realities,” Addabbo added. “Providing officers with the option to continue serving until age 65 benefits the department, the officers themselves, and the people of New York City.”

The bill passed the New York State Senate and Assembly and will now await final action by the Governor.