Retirement Security
AB 1383 (McKinnor)
CPF’s sponsored bill to strengthen firefighter retirement security.
Statement from CPF President Darrell Roberts on Governor Newsom’s Veto of CPF-Priority Retirement Reform Bill
SEPTEMBER 20, 2026
We are deeply disappointed that Governor Newsom has chosen to veto AB 1383 (McKinnor), despite strong bipartisan support from both houses of the legislature.
The measure would have strengthened retirement security for active and future firefighters by lowering the retirement age and giving CPF locals greater flexibility at the bargaining table to address the unique demands of a career in public safety.
Firefighters throughout the state stood united in support of AB 1383. Thousands of CPF members stepped up and took action – contacting legislators, sharing their stories, and attending hearings. Hundreds attended rallies at the Capitol in support of this bill – many traveling from every corner of the state, even driving overnight, to see this legislation move forward. Firefighters made it clear that retirement security is critically important to the sustainability of this career.
Local government employers and anti-union special interests shared misleading and exaggerated claims about AB 1383 throughout the process. The actions from local governments and these organizations show that many thank us in public; but work against us in Sacramento.
AB 1383 would have provided firefighters and other public safety personnel with additional time with their families, reduced exposure to carcinogenic materials, and protected the interests of taxpayers.
We are eternally grateful for the solidarity from our labor brothers and sisters from other unions and the support from the national level. We appreciate every legislator who stood with firefighters and championed our cause from both sides of the aisle.
To every CPF member, this fight is not over. I made a commitment to you all; we will keep fighting for retirement security, and we will stand together.
Many groundbreaking pieces of legislation have taken time, patience, and united advocacy to win. The Firefighters Bill of Rights was initially vetoed, but has now been a cornerstone of our profession for over two decades.
This veto does not change the fact that it is critical that we take action to amend the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) to address real issues being experienced in the field. Every Californian deserves to have a strong, well-trained, and experienced fire service, and our firefighters deserve retirement security that reflects the service and sacrifice they make for our communities.
Stay in the Fight,
Darrell Roberts
President, California Professional Firefighters
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WHY AB 1383 IS IMPORTANT
Being a firefighter means bearing health and safety risks that do not exist in other occupations. While we have always known about the physical dangers that exist in our unique workplace, we have recently discovered increased exposures on the job to cancer-causing pollutants that pose long-term risks to our health. Cancer is now the leading cause of death among firefighters in America. The longer we firefighters are on the job, the higher the risk we take of job-related injury or death.
That’s why we must fight to reform our retirement system in California so that we can retire safely. CPF is currently advocating for AB 1383, which lowers the retirement age for public safety officers from 57 to 55, addresses compensation limits, and ensures firefighters have security after their service.
CPF President Darrell Roberts testified with PORAC President Brian Marvel at the Senate Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement Committee in support of AB 1383 on June 24, 2026.
THE FACTS MATTER
THE FACTS MATTER: A recent opinion made false claims about AB 1383, citing outdated information from a version of the bill over 7 months old. Here’s the reality: all provisions are prospective, the 50/50 cost share under PEPRA remains fully intact, future changes are still subject to the same transparency requirements governing the bargaining process, and CalPERS has performed a detailed actuarial analysis on the proposal that was shared publicly. No backroom deals. No rollbacks. Just responsible, targeted policy.
Opponents of AB 1383 have relied on inaccurate and incomplete depictions of how much the bill will cost employers and taxpayers to sway opinions against retirement security.
In the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, CPF Advocate Meagan Subers addressed concerns regarding cost and explained how the costs are paid for by both employees and employers, and how these are balanced against significant savings already realized by prior reforms.
AB 1383 RESOURCES
AB 1383 FACT SHEET
MEMBER STORIES
AB 1383 HANDOUT
