Federal employees in the law enforcement officer retirement program receive more generous benefits that are more costly to provide than the retirement program for other employees because they retire earlier. Earlier retirement insures a young and vigorous law enforcement workforce. However, there is concern that agencies may be inappropriately classifying jobs as law enforcement positions to help employee recruitment and retention. The number of employees covered by the law enforcement officer special retirement benefits increased 32 percent from 1982 to 1987. During this time, the total number of positions approved for special retirement benefits increased 44 percent. The employing agencies reviewed attributed these increases to an expansion of the government's law enforcement programs.