---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 4505"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "4505"
heading: "Awards to former employees"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/4505"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart C — Employee Performance"
  - "Chapter 45 — Incentive Awards"
  - "Subchapter I — Awards for Superior Accomplishments"
---

# §4505. Awards to former employees


An [agency](/usc/5/4501.md?p=1) may [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4) or grant an award under this subchapter notwithstanding the death or separation from the [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) of the [employee](/usc/5/4501.md?p=2) concerned, if the suggestion, invention, superior accomplishment, other personal effort, or special act or [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) in the public interest for which the award is proposed was made or performed while the [employee](/usc/5/4501.md?p=2) was in the employ of the [Government](/usc/5/4501.md?p=3).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 443; Pub. L. 97–35, title XVII, § 1703(b)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 756.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and<br>Statutes at Large |
|  | 5 U.S.C. 2123(c). | Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1208 § 304(c), 68 Stat. 1113. |

The words “or grant” are added for clarity.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1981—Pub. L. 97–35 substituted “subchapter” for “chapter”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–35 effective Oct. 1, 1981, see section 1703(c) of Pub. L. 97–35, set as a note under section 4501 of this title.