DOB issues memo on early retirement bill



62 thoughts on “DOB issues memo on early retirement bill

  1. John q. Public

    For the rank and file worker, it means absolutely nothing. The incentive bill was carefully written to be a golden parachute for the do nothing political hacks that are about to be out of work with the upcoming administration change. The incentive is targeted, and it is up to the politically appointed agency heads whether to offer it to an individual or not. Just like the last 20k bonus incentive, it will only be given to a select handful of political hacks.

  2. maverick100

    In theory, it seems like the directive on the targeted incentive tells the agencies they HAVE to participate.

    However, I suspect in practice, few if any rank-and-file positions will be targeted.

  3. Matt

    Once again Paterson both talks out of both sides of his mouth and dissapoints. Notice how it reads that agencies who want to paticipate.
    I agree with John Q looks like a special offering that only a few will be able to participate in while the average state worker (you know us Fat over paid, do nothings) get screwed.
    This would be the perfect time for news story on how this will be implimented, but I’m not holding my breath.
    PS. I’m in a job tittle that has never had ERI offered to us, besides I don’t quailify for it anyway. Having said that as a tax payer (I pay taxes also people) this makes me mad that Paterson is not serious about using this to thin the work force in a reasonable way.

  4. All the Kings Men

    ha, what a crock, no good if it is targeted, it means nothing to the average worker. This would have been a great opportunity to get rid of some dead wood around the office, but it won’t happen.

  5. Dhamerabi

    It looks to like like only one of the incentives is targeted. The other is open, more or less, to all who qualify. We shall see if people really have the guts to retire or if they are all talk.

  6. nick c

    The big catch is that the agencies will have most of the say in whether someone gets to take this incentive or not. Problem is, if too few people get the go-ahead for early retirement (as happened with the $20K incentive last year) there will definitely be layoffs come 2011.

  7. NYS Voter

    I don’t think Gov. Magoo wants the average State employee to be able to retire early. He just wants to stick it to as many state employees as possible because he is a bitter little man who wants payback from someone for his ineptitude and impotence as a leader. There is no way that there will be enough people that will be able to retire because of the restrictions. Give those of us who are nearly 55 and have the years of service to be able to go. Don’t leave it to the whims of the agencies. I’m already counting the days until I turn 55.

  8. Matt

    I thought the Governor was in charge of all the executive agencies and he could twll them what do do…….Oh that’s right we need a REAL Governor first….one who knows what he is doing

  9. Mcc

    nick c, that is a problem that the agencies must consider too. If they do not make use of this retirement incentve to cut higher salaries by letting older employees go, they face the possibility of loosing even more positions in layoffs of younger, lower paid workers (assuming the threat of layoffs is true). So that may be an incentive for agencies to participate more fully in the ERI.

  10. interesting

    you are correct, since they are targeted only those hacks that are in jeopardy of loosing their jobs will be allowed the incentive. Instead of just reporting it in the blog, Why doesn’t the Time Union do a real story on the incentive and how it won’t affect the average worker.

  11. mcdonald

    there is no legitimate reason that the retirement incentive can’t work for everyone. the agencies can eliminate the most costly employees at the job rate (who frankly cannot accept any change whatsoever so they should go), and reorganize with the remaining staff, perhaps fill one out of two items eliminated and adjust to a more efficient operation. we should hire younger less costly employees who will be better trained and more flexible. savings. if the admin deputy is worth anything in any agnecy, they should know how to move bodies around to provide the incentive, eliminate positions they don’t really need, pacify DOB and the Gov’s Ofc, but allow for some strategic refills. it’s not rocket science.
    allow everybody to go and get the savings and then allow for some level of refills. if it turns out that only political appointees get the incentive, then it’s a charade from the start. if I know how to do it, why can’t the annointed ones know how to do it?

  12. saratoga curmudgeon

    If you are an agency head, and target a position to take the incentive, you are basically saying that the position should not have existed in the first place. No manager, private or public, is going to make that statement.

    But, for those of you who think an untargeted incentive is the way to go, think again. More demands on the retirement system which has to deal with more retirees than it expected; more demands on the pension fund to increase its profitability, and, assuming that doesn’t happen, which is likely, more increases in the retirement contributions that localities have to make.

    You’re just putting it on the credit card for future generations. But it’s all about me, now, isn’t it?

  13. saratoga curmudgeon

    No manager, private or public, is ever going to admit that they can do without one of their employees. To do that is basically saying that the person is superfluous, and never should have been hired in the first place.

    So much for the targeted incentive.

    However, for those of you who are enamored of the “untargeted incentive,” consider the following: (1) more demands on the retirement system to keep the fund solvent (2) the system may not make the monies necessary to meet those demands (3) since local governments have to contribute to the retirement fund at a percentage determined by the fund, a shortfall might mean that our local governments need more money to make those payments (4) how do our local governments get that money? You got it, raise local taxes.

    So all of you who are carrying the banner for open retirement incentivesare simply putting your golden parachute on the credit card for future New Yorkers to pick up the payments.

    Sleep well.

  14. Lindsey

    A major problem with these buyouts and incentives is everyone who is thinking about retiring is waiting to see what the next best thing they will get will be. People are waiting to retire, pulling papers and now feel entitled to the incentive, more time, money and extras. To much time is spent talking about it, trying to figure out who is going to get it, who isn’t, etc. This creates total mayhem and disruption to the workplace.

  15. Liberty & Justice

    I certainly hope that any positions not targeted for the ERI are also going to be spared from the governor’s layoff plans!

  16. twopondsnorth

    I read the list published in the Times Union of all those employees who collected the $20,000 incentive to retire. Having been a state worker for over 25 years I figured I’d know a few of the names. Guess what? I only knew one person I worked with over 20 years ago. He was a pain in the butt back then, whining away every day. He was always a HUGE pain. Heck, his agency could have taken up a collection instead of following the process. And folks, that’s how the process plays out.

  17. Tim B.

    “Gov. Magoo”
    How does this get past the moderators?
    Would a racial comment make it?
    Grow up people.

  18. gfastr

    Want to demoarlize a workforce in one step — pass a retirement incentive then tell employees they’re not eligible :-(

    Those who want to retire but can’t get the incentive now have a bad
    attitude, and those looking to move up now find new opportunities aren’t available and so they’re disgruntled too.

    Take a win/win and make it a lose/lose. Only in New York.

  19. Tony

    Agencies had already been told that they need to meet the previously established targets and were given additional targets on Monday (possible layoff #’s). The incentives will be used to minimize the need for layoffs. If an agency doesn’t submit sufficient #’s for the incentive, DOB won’t approve the plan. This time around, I think you will see a lot of people jump ship. Those who previously would have held out will go. A lot of State (real) workers are disgusted at the current administration and the inability to accomplish anything meaningful. Everything is being done to benefit few (rich) people rather than the general public. This is still a Pataki government, the dems aren’t really running anything.

  20. Donna H

    “Employees who are currently eligible to retire or are at least 50 years of age”

    Um, except police and fire, no one’s eligible to retire at 50. Are they saying at least 50 years of age with 10 years credit can go? Sorry. Moment of wishful thinking. My employer just sent out their budget to all employees and they want to outsource my position so can they then claim it’s not targeted?

    Not getting my hopes up.

  21. Donna H

    Wish the TU would do a good story translating this into plain English because it makes sense except for that line I quoted above.

  22. john

    saratoga-the pension fund is separate from the general fund,and is well funded.when you have older workers leave you get an automatic savings
    to the general fund.the pension fund is more than solvent to absorb the new retirees.even the private sector has retirement incentives.

  23. news flash

    The one issue that remains open is what is the age penalty on the targeted 50/10 plan?
    In other words, if someone is 60 years old, do they get 1 month per year LESS 6% age penalty?
    What if someone is 53 years old and has 26 years? Do they get one month per year (26) LESS how much age penalty. Since in Tier 3/4 you normally have to be 55 to retire (with a 27% penalty) no one knows what the penalty is for someone 53. Or how that relates to someone who is 60? Of course, the 60 year old can take the 25/55 plan, but that gives no INCENTIVE, just allows you to go without penalty. Most folks are more interested in the 50/10 plan which gives additional service credit.

  24. taxpayer101

    “Division of the Budget to identify job titles appropriate for consideration.” Why not offer it to all on a first come basis, applying on states website, so there is a time stamp. Have the Division of Budget post the job titles that are not appropriate, and the reason why!

  25. AlbanyJim

    I am interpreting this as not the same as last years – DOB is making the determination of who is and who is not eligible.

    It is however, only for those over 10 and under 25 years of service at age 55 – 61. This narrows the field down.

    The AGency isntead of picking and choosing they must justify why this eligible is not approved and if I read the Budget correctly it is only for public health and saftey and must be justified.

    The opt out would be if agencies lie and say that loss of so and so will generate overtime or the need for a consultant. This is the black hole loop hole. In certain divisions of OGS there is no overtime or comp time allowed, but that does not mean an division or agency head can not lie and say there would be.

    I agree that due to the above this is another shoddy written publicity stunt that will net nothing.

  26. Laurie L

    I don’t know where some of these people work, but mostly lower level support staff get the incentives since agency heads fail to recognize the importance of KBS and clerk titles, and feel they can be eliminated without harm. They don’t generally want to lose higher paying titles that can be used for reward.

  27. buffalogeek

    First, can everyone agree that the 55/25 incentive (Part B) is for everyone and not just targeted positions?

    To confirm Tony’s comments above, indications are that the usual gamesmanship of limiting targeted retirements (Part A) will be reduced and many more than usual will be able to accept an incentive. It has been made clear that positions eliminated through the retirement incentives will offset possible layoffs after Jan. 2011. Reserve your banquet rooms for September early!

  28. Donna H

    Woo hoo! I am so crossing my fingers that my agency lets me go and I no longer have to struggled to work disabled. I will be able to leave and since my pension will be under $1,000 a month be able to apply for Social Security disability.

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