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

A new bill filed by State Sen. Todd Johnson seeks to allow eligible law enforcement officers to receive retirement benefits while still actively working or after returning to service, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 701 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Bring Back Our Heroes.’

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 law enforcement officers in North Carolina to continue receiving retirement benefits upon reaching a specified age and service period while still in service and upon returning to service after a bona fide separation. It introduces special separation allowances for eligible state and local law enforcement officers with at least 30 years of service, also providing officers the option to receive these allowances while still actively working. Amendments address various retirement system definitions and contribution requirements. Additionally, it allocates $10 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to address implementation costs for fiscal years 2025-27. The bill becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025, with specific provisions expiring Dec. 31, 2029.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Johnson proposed the most bills (49) 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.

Johnson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000 with a BA.

Johnson, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 35th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Tommy Tucker.