By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation this week raising the NYPD’s mandatory retirement age from 63 to 65.
- The law applies to officers under both Tier 2 (appointed between July 1, 1973, and June 30, 2009) and Tier 3 (appointed on or after July 1, 2009) pension plans.
- The bill, first introduced in May 2025, states that raising the retirement age is intended to address staffing shortages by retaining experienced officers longer.
- NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the change will improve retention and recognize officers’ years of service.
- The law took effect immediately upon signing.
NEW YORK — New York City police officers can now remain on the job until age 65 under new legislation signed this week by Gov. Kathy Hochul, raising the NYPD’s mandatory retirement age by two years.
The law applies to officers receiving pensions under both Tier 2, covering those appointed between July 1, 1973, and June 30, 2009, and Tier 3, covering those appointed on or after July 1, 2009. It raises the mandatory retirement age from 63 to 65 for eligible officers and took effect immediately upon signing.
First introduced in May 2025, the legislation states that raising the retirement age will allow the department to retain experienced officers longer, which supporters say can improve public safety by preserving institutional expertise and providing senior officers to fill leadership and stability roles. The bill also states the change is intended to help address staffing shortages while potentially reducing the need for extensive and costly training of new recruits.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the legislation “will improve retention and ensure our officers get what they deserve for their years of sacrifice and hard work.”
NYPD Detectives Endowment Association President Scott Munro said the change gives detectives more flexibility in timing their retirement to secure pension benefits. “That means more control over their future and more time with their families now,” Munro said. “It will also help the NYPD retain experienced, highly skilled detectives who are invaluable to keeping this city safe.”