http://inthistogetherct.org/2010/07/retirement-panel-splits-over-pension-cuts/ For a fair budget and a livable state with great public services Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:33:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://inthistogetherct.org/2010/07/retirement-panel-splits-over-pension-cuts/comment-page-1/#comment-3729 Foxinn Pak Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:13:14 +0000 http://inthistogetherct.org/?p=3173#comment-3729 Unfortunately, it is out of hand. What can be done? A few recommendations, in my opinion. 1)Offer an ERIP in early 2011, for only those employees with 20 years worked or more, who are at least 52 years of age plus. The state needs to streamline the TIER 1 employees, as quickly as possible. They are obligated to honor the current language spelled out in their pension guidelines. 2) Whatever the number of employees opt for the early retirement next year, 1 replacement for every 4. The state has to start somewhere, and this is a very necessary option, irregardless of what these unions have to say about it. It also might lower the number of potential layoffs, that are inevitable next year. 3) Consideration should be given to changing the MINIMUM retirement age. In addition, for future pensions, it should be at least 20 years served or more, not 10 years, or whatever it is now. It's my understanding, that when a state employee retires, a spouse gets health insurance for life as well. If this is true, that should be changed ASAP. 4)Eliminate all those retirees, who are currently working, and collecting a pension. They severed their ties with the state. Reading articles about this farce, is simply that, one big farce. Whoever gets elected governor, has his hands full. If they make the wrong decisions, it's only a matter of time, when state services will be worse, than they already are. If the candidates keep making these attacks against these state employees, like Mr. Fedele, if I were them, I may want to rethink my strategy........... Unfortunately, it is out of hand. What can be done? A few recommendations, in my opinion. 1)Offer an ERIP in early 2011, for only those employees with 20 years worked or more, who are at least 52 years of age plus. The state needs to streamline the TIER 1 employees, as quickly as possible. They are obligated to honor the current language spelled out in their pension guidelines. 2) Whatever the number of employees opt for the early retirement next year, 1 replacement for every 4. The state has to start somewhere, and this is a very necessary option, irregardless of what these unions have to say about it. It also might lower the number of potential layoffs, that are inevitable next year. 3) Consideration should be given to changing the MINIMUM retirement age. In addition, for future pensions, it should be at least 20 years served or more, not 10 years, or whatever it is now. It’s my understanding, that when a state employee retires, a spouse gets health insurance for life as well. If this is true, that should be changed ASAP. 4)Eliminate all those retirees, who are currently working, and collecting a pension. They severed their ties with the state. Reading articles about this farce, is simply that, one big farce. Whoever gets elected governor, has his hands full. If they make the wrong decisions, it’s only a matter of time, when state services will be worse, than they already are. If the candidates keep making these attacks against these state employees, like Mr. Fedele, if I were them, I may want to rethink my strategy………..

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