Gov. Newsom vetoes bill to lower retirement age for California police, firefighters

Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 1383, a bill that sought to reduce the retirement age for California police and firefighters from 57 to 55 and permit higher pension accrual rates. Sponsored by Democratic Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, the legislation cleared the Senate 33-0 and the Assembly 69-2, backed by public-safety unions such as the California Professional Firefighters, whose president Darrell Roberts said it would give workers two extra years with their families.

Newsom warned the change would partially undo the 2012 Public Employees Pension Reform Act enacted under former Gov. Jerry Brown, which was designed to curb a looming pension deficit. Officials from cities and counties, including La Verne City Manager Ken Domer, warned the proposal could cost state employers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. A coalition of local governments praised the veto as a safeguard for fiscal stability amid ongoing budget uncertainty. Union leaders expressed disappointment but pledged to keep fighting for retirement security.