Just over 2,000 workers in the executive branch of state government have opted to retire early.
Those state workers are taking advantage of an incentive program which provides them five-years-worth of health care coverage. Plus, they get paid for all the sick days and vacation they haven’t used and they are eligible for a big bonus of up to $25,000.
The bonus is $1,000 for every year the person has worked in state government. A person must be at least 55 years old to be eligible for the program.
Officials had hoped at least a thousand state workers would opt to retire early, but twice as many took the “early out” incentives. April 15 was the deadline to submit the paperwork for early retirement. Those workers have until June 24 to change their mind.
Here is more information about the number of workers in the executive branch of state government who’ve opted to retire early. State early retirement PDF
(The data was provided by the governor’s office.)