Reps. Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) recently introduced a bill they said would eliminate financial disincentives making it difficult for federal contract towers to hire trained and retired air traffic controllers.
The Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers (CONTRACT) Act of 2021 would remove the disincentive for retired Federal Aviation Administration traffic controllers to work at federal contract towers. The present scenario yields an annuity offset penalty resulting in many retired FAA controllers deciding not to work as federal contract tower air traffic controllers.
“Ventura County airports play a key role in our region’s economy,” Brownley said. “Keeping all of our air traffic control towers open and fully staffed is critical for safety and helps our airports serve businesses and aviation enthusiasts in our region. The CONTRACT Act will ensure that FAA air traffic controllers, who choose to continue to work after the mandatory FAA retirement age of 56, can help us meet staffing needs at contract towers without losing their hard-earned retirement benefits.”
The controllers receive a Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS) annuity payment during the mandatory retirement period between 56 and the social security minimum age of 62, and the retired controller’s special annuity payment is incrementally reduced if they earn more than the social security earnings limit of $17,640 (2019 tax year) annually.
“Small airports across the nation use contract towers to keep our airways safe but are facing difficulties recruiting and retaining air traffic controllers,” Davis said. “This legislation will address this problem by allowing retired controllers to receive their full Social Security annuity payment while working at contract towers. Ensuring contract towers are adequately staffed is critical to their ability to maintain safety and continue operations.”