Lincoln’s first responders will soon have access to new retirement benefits aimed at helping the city recruit and retain police officers and firefighters. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird says pension and retirement plan enhancements demonstrate her administration’s prioritization of public safety and the City’s commitment to compensate police and fire personnel for the critical service they provide to the community.
“These enhancements reflect the City’s commitment to investing in the people who dedicate their careers to protecting our community,” Gaylor Baird says. “By engaging with our first responders and listening to their ideas, we designed these retirement enhancements to protect their health and well-being long after they have devoted their careers to protecting ours.”
The city is offering a $60,000 one-time pension enhancement for police and fire unions, along with non-union department leadership, beginning in September 2026. Starting in September 2027, newly hired first responders will also be eligible for a two-percent cost-of-living adjustment when they retire.
Eligible current employees will have several options for using the $60,000 benefit, including purchasing a cost-of-living adjustment, contributing to a post-employment health program, or placing the money into a 457-B retirement account that will be paid out over three years.
The Lincoln Police Union has already approved the agreement, making the benefit available to current commissioned officers and non-union police leadership. Gaylor Baird says the changes came from discussions with police and fire representatives. She says the goal was to create retirement benefits that recognize the careers of those who protect the community.
“By offering these enhancements, we strengthen our ability to attract and retain the skilled police officers we rely on every day to provide exceptional public safety,” Police Chief Michon Morrow says.
The city says the changes were developed by the Police and Fire Pension Advisory Committee, created in 2023 to explore ways to improve retirement benefits while keeping Lincoln competitive in hiring and retaining first responders.