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Sen. Deb Fischer Honored as NCPERS 2024 Policymaker of the Year for Advancing Public Safety Workforce Solutions

NCPERS Policymaker of the Year Award, presented annually, honors policymakers whose initiatives have significantly strengthened public pensions or whose efforts have contributed to improvements in retirement security more broadly.
Media Contact: Lizzy Lees (llees@ncpers.org)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) named Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) its 2024 Policymaker of Year, presenting the award on Capitol Hill on Wednesday during NCPERS Legislative Conference & Policy Day.

NCPERS Policymaker of the Year Award, presented annually, honors policymakers whose initiatives have significantly strengthened public pensions or whose efforts have contributed to improvements in retirement security more broadly.

Sen. Fischer introduced the Recruit and Retain Act (S.546), gaining bipartisan support for the legislation that was enacted May 2024. The bill requires a comprehensive study be undertaken to better understand why individuals begin careers in public safety, what factors are driving attrition, and what barriers exist for industry recruitment and retention. The law also provides federal grants to law enforcement agencies that partner with educational institutions to enhance their recruitment efforts.

Research has shown that pensions play a key role in recruiting and retaining public safety workers, with more than 60 percent of police officers and firefighters surveyed by the National Institute on Retirement Security indicating that the ability to earn a pension was a major reason they stayed at their job. States and localities that have reduced pension benefits in recent years have experienced sharp increases in employee turnover, exacerbating dangerous public safety workforce shortages.

“We are pleased to recognize Sen. Fischer for her pivotal role in advancing the Recruit and Retain Act, which will help us further understand how agencies can enhance their strategies to attract new public safety professionals to the field and retain the firefighters, police officers, and first responders who play a critical role in protecting our communities,” said NCPERS Executive Director and Counsel, Hank Kim.

“After years of working with Nebraska law enforcement to address workforce shortages, my Recruit and Retain Act was signed into law in 2024. I'm grateful to NCPERS for offering me their Policymaker of the Year award to recognize this accomplishment,” said Sen. Fischer. “I look forward to collaborating in the future to strengthen and support America's law enforcement!”

About NCPERS
Established in 1941, the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) is the largest trade association working on behalf of public sector retirement systems. Organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a diverse membership that includes 500 plans, plan sponsors, and stakeholders who collectively oversee approximately $6 trillion in retirement funds, NCPERS works to protect and expand pension access through essential education, innovative research, and unwavering advocacy. From the largest statewide systems to the smallest local funds, NCPERS members make possible the work to safeguard the retirement security of more than 20 million teachers, police, firefighters, and other public servants.
 
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