More than 20,000 police officers, firefighters, teachers and other public employees put in their retirement papers last year as momentum was building for sweeping health and pension reform in Trenton, state figures show. That is a 60 percent jump from 2009 retirements and the highest in at least a decade, according to the Division of Pension and Benefits.
Teachers whose contracts were criticized all year long by Gov. Chris Christie headed for the exits at the quickest pace, nearly doubling the number who retired in 2009.
Under nearly all the reform proposals circulating in Trenton, public employees would pay more for pension and health benefits, but would escape the additional costs if they retire before the reforms were enacted.
“There has been a direct assault on the benefits that public employees have earned and fought for over the last 40 years,” said Dominick Marino, president of the state chapter of the International Association of Firefighters. “People were attracted to these jobs because of the certainty, now there is no certainty, and people are retiring.”
While those who put in retirement papers can opt to stay, the vast majority retire, officials say. Of the 20,327 public employees who put in for retirement, more than half were state and local workers. Retirements among police and firefighter swelled by 45 percent. Read more in Star Legder.
Before we start replacing the teachers and police we better put into place a lower salary structure, more in line with the private sector.
#1 is right after all look at how good the busing is working out. Going cheap is always better.
let them all retire asap enough with riPing oF the private sector we can not afford to pay these huge salaries.
I can’t blame my brothers and sisters for wanting to retire, it’s very sad to see what this State is trying to do to all of these first responders and teachers after all of the years of dedicated service that they have provided to our communities, friends, families, and children.
It is also a sad moment to see so much experience leave at once, in these hard times it is difficult for first responders (career and volunteer)and teachers to try and receive the same type of training that these veterans have and had received within their 20 plus years of service due to the tight budget cuts and cuts in non-mandatory training.
Instead of downgrading and making negative statements about these professionals as it has already been done, we should take the time to say Thank You and to wish them a peaceful and safe retirement for all of the years of dedication that they have provided to us.
Remember in the long run you get what you pay for..you want cheaper employees out there protecting your streets and fighting your fires you will get just what you want..less experienced personnel doing the job..Pay should be based on the difficulty of their jobs..I for one would not like someone making minimum wages..protecting my life and property..You Get What You Pay For
#4, you are 100% right. There is nothing like experience. And unfortunately, the workers who will be replacing these veterans will most likely draw up short, until they get ten years under their belt and some hindsight.
#5, exactly! Just look at how many people come from abroad to the U.S. for medical treatment, even on minor things like cosmetic surgery! It’s because most places like Canada, England, etc. medical attention is completely free. You don’t pay for your Dr. visit, you don’t pay for the surgery, and so you get a crappy job in return. Why would they care if everything looks perfect, if the gov. is paying the same low fee for their services?
“…you want cheaper employees out there protecting your streets and fighting your fires you will get just what you want…”
In Lakewood you cannot get cheaper employees fighting your fire. With the exception of the 6 paid men, all the rest of the firefighters are VOLUNTEER. They don’t get paid.
President Barack Obama says public employees should not have their rights infringed upon as states look for ways to cut spending.
Speaking to the nation’s governors, Obama says he understands the fiscal challenges facing cash-strapped states and says everyone should be prepared “to give something up”. But he says that shouldn’t mean public employees are “vilified” during budget debates.
Quote “Before we start replacing the teachers and police we better put into place a lower salary structure, more in line with the private sector.”
really ~ you get what you pay for , stop all the government handouts and freebes that we cannot afford , stop food stamps, section 8 housing, free daycare . etc etc etc
The state is broke. Pension funds went to bailed out crooks who fleeced the shareholders on Wall Street. The public employee gravy train is over. Where’s the beef? Work for the Feds. They print money for themselves and the fail-outs. Get out of the state kitchens before they have to turn off the sprinkler system. That goes for the municipalities too. Take your money and run before they take it all back. They’ll in-source to illegal aliens with amnesty if they have to who “don’t need no stinkin’ badge”.
You get what you pay for
Well then I hope the government workers who answer the phones are getting minimum wage.
Quote “Before we start replacing the teachers and police we better put into place a lower salary structure, more in line with the private sector.”
The problem is the government did not live up to their end of the bargin , they used funds for other things and even though they were contractually obligated to fund pensions they failed to do that
Does everyone fail to remember why we have contracts?
Yes the system is broke ,but don’t blame the hard working public employees for something they did not create