Retirement applications from New Jersey teachers, police officers, firefighters and state workers jumped 67 percent through the first seven months of the year, according to the state Division of Pensions and Benefits. Lisa Fleischer of the Star-Ledger’s Statehouse Bureau reports that nearly 14,900 workers in the public employees pension systems put in their retirement papers through the end of July — already 16 percent more than all of last year.
State Treasury officials expect retirements wil continue to rise, possibly totaling 19,000 by the end of this year.
Much of the catalyst for the retirement surge has been Gov. Chris Christie’s rhetoric about the need to cut pension costs. Public employee union membersexpects this cost saving will require cuts into pay and benefits.
“People are really not liking the way things are going,” said Steve Wollmer, a spokesman for the New Jersey Education Association. “They look at the landscape and they see budgets that are underfunded, fewer colleagues, larger class sizes, no supplies, program cuts. And they’re saying, ‘You know, I was going to wait a year but I’m going to leave now. It’s not an environment I’m excited to be involved in.’ ”
Christie is not concerned about the exodus, spokesman Michael Drewniak said.
“If they want to leave, fine,” Drewniak said. “Retirements just give us the opportunities to bring in new people who are energetic, and it refreshes the ranks. It’s not a bad thing.” Read full story in Star Ledger.
It’s hard to feel sympathy for people that can retire so early-sometimes after just 20 years- and collect 75% (or more) of their salary as a pension with lifetime healthcare benefits paid for by taxpayers. In the real -non government employee- world, if an employee has any type of retirement plan, it’s at the mercy of the markets.
they don’t get 75% at 20 years, and they don’t all get lifetime benefits. if you are going to complain at least have the numbers/facts right. And would you do their job? I know I couldn’t. If you think any teacher, cop or fireman has a cakewalk for a job, why didn’t you become one?
To #1 … Walk a mile in their shoes!!! I doubt you would make a few inches!
Neither Christie nor his spokesman know what they are talking about.
The educational system and its near the top ranking is going to fall fast.
Oh Mr Fresser once again spouting out incorrect information. Why don’t you just read the stories, and keep your fingers from the key board. The retirement numbers are 25 years = 65%, 30 years = 70%. And yes some unions members have benefits after retirement, so what. After a public employee worked that many years in all kinds of environments they deserve to retire and know they are taken care of. Remember the sacrifice made by police and firemen, even teachers who make low salaries, dealing with some of these public school kids.
Now the governor is going after the unions that did not support his run for office. ANd public employees are retiring in record numbers, putting an added burden on these pension systems, which WE THE EMPLOYESS HAVE PAID HALF OF THE TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS INTO. So therefore we are entitled to take out money when we leave.
FED UP is right I am worried about our pension that we have to put so much money into and then hear people complain about. I am afraid it will go bankrupted. Every pay we are paying into it and no small amount either nothing is free so those who do not know what they are talking about, be quite!
CC is the going to hurt NJ so much more then help! This state is going to pay so much more in unemployment instead of just paying salaries and have people working. Now no money is going to go back into the economy because people don’t have jobs, this state will not heal. We also are in the top 3 states for highest taxes and completely broke come on where is the money really going.
FED UP is right I am worried about our pension that we have to put so much money into and then hear people complain about. I am afraid it will go bankrupted. Every pay we are paying into it and no small amount either nothing is free so those who do not know what they are talking about, be quite!
CC is the going to hurt NJ so much more then help! This state is going to pay so much more in unemployment instead of just paying salaries and have people working. Now no money is going to go back into the economy because people don’t have jobs, this state will not heal. We also are in the top 3 states for highest taxes and completely broke come on where is the money really going.
Teachers at best collect 40% for 35 years. Police collect 60% at 20 years
Its amazing how everyone can bash the Police, Career Fire and Career EMS workers for retiring after 20 years or complain about how much they are getting paid. Do you realize that these brave men and women put their lives on the line everyday when they put their uniforms on, and how everyday they say goodbye to their families not knowing if they are gonna make it home safely or even in one piece. Do you know how many holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.. they miss just to protect the citizens in the towns that they work for. Do you know how much stress is placed upon these responders when they are faced with and have to deal with the emergencies they respond to day in and day out involving citizens of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, family, friends or even co-workers. Do you know what it feels like to tell a grieving family member, homeowner, friend or co-worker that they lost the most precious thing in life to them. Do you know how it feels when the general public acknowledges only one of these professions and not all of them. Do you know what it feels like to enter a scene that is so dangerous where everyone else is running in the opposite direction just to get out of harms way. Do you know what it feels like to be yelled at because it seems like it took forever for you to respond to the scene.
I do because I am one of those responders and I have lived this so many times in the past and present. It also doesn’t matter wheter these responders are paid or volunteer either, because all of these brave men and women do not have a nice comfortable cozy well protected office job with the hours of 9a-5p, holidays and weekends off, they put their lives on the line for you the PUBLIC so that you can live a happy and safe life. So what is the problem if they want to retire after 20 years of service with a nice retirement fund. We owe it to these responders as a thank you for putting their lives on the line everyday. They have 20 years to catch up with and trust me no matter what you do you can’t, their are only pictures and videos that hopefully someone captured for you to look back at and wish that you could have been present for those events that you missed out on.
I can not speak for the teachers but can only imagine of how hard their jobs are to try and provide the children that we raise with the best type of education they can provide.
So please think about it and support these responders they honestly do deserve it.
so become one than you can go out in 20 yrs
You go # 9 the only thing
this town does complain but when they
need the cop firefighter or DPW for there’s event we
All good there’s no complain.