The New Mexico State Personnel Board has announced an increase in the Longevity Pay Program for state employees, effective September 1, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance recruitment and retention by recognizing continuous service among state employees.
The Executive Branch will implement the updated program, which provides longevity pay based on specific milestones of continuous service. Employees with five to nine years of service will receive $700 annually, those with ten to fourteen years will get $1,500, while employees with fifteen to twenty years of service will be awarded $1,900. For those serving over twenty years, the payment increases to $2,100.
Eligible recipients include incumbent classified employees, New Mexico state police under the career pay system, and executive branch exempt employees. However, EXOT, temporary employees, and probationary employees are excluded from this benefit. An agreement regarding this program has also been reached with union-covered employees in executive branch state service.
"Continuous Service" is defined as the employee's uninterrupted tenure from their most recent hire or rehire date. Utilization of military leave or worker’s compensation leave does not constitute a break in employment. Employees transitioning from judicial or legislative branches without a break in service are also eligible.
If an employee separates from executive branch employment or moves to another government branch, their eligibility for longevity pay ends at that pay period's conclusion. However, starting a pay period ensures eligibility for that period's longevity pay regardless of whether the entire period was worked.
The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) has calculated the affected employees' payments, which will appear on paychecks starting September 19, 2025. The longevity pay is distinct from general wage increases and does not affect base salary.
This memorandum supersedes General Memorandum 2025-004: Longevity Pay and remains subject to legislative appropriation.
Information from this article can be found here.
