Proposal would raise public employee retirement age

A bill that would increase the state's retirement age is "another slap in the face" to teachers, technical college faculty, education support professionals and other dedicated public employees, WEAC President Stan Johnson said.

Assembly Bill 361 would increase the minimum age for retirement under the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) from 55 to 59.5.

Current law permits individuals in the WRS to qualify for a retirement annuity beginning at age 55 if they are not protective occupation participants, who may qualify beginning at age 50.

Under AB 361, WRS participants (other than protective occupation participants) who terminate covered employment after the bill’s effective date must have reached the age of 59.5 to qualify for a retirement annuity.

WEAC strongly opposes the bill and believes that the current age for retirement of teachers, faculty and other public employees works well for workers and for taxpayers.
  • The Wisconsin Retirement System is adequately funded, through employer and employee contributions.

  • The solvency of the WRS – which is the envy of many states – is not a reason to punish public employees and renege on longtime commitments.

  • To increase the retirement age for these employees now is a thinly veiled attack on the teachers, technical college faculty, support staff and other public employees that provide the public with such valuable services.

AB 361 must pass through a Joint Committee process first and then pass both houses. WEAC and others in the labor movement will seek a veto by Governor Doyle if the bill ever reaches the governor's desk, Johnson said.

Unfortunately, AB 361 is not the only attack on public employees’ retirements. AB 267 would require employees to pay the first 3% of the employee portion of the WRS contribution. Currently all technical college districts pay the employee’s share of the WRS contribution.

Some might argue that it is only fair for the employee to pay his/her own share. However, the agreement by employers to cover the employee share of the WRS contribution was bargained decades ago in return for lower wages. It is important to remember that while payments are made on behalf of employees by employers, the total amount is always calculated in the cost of a settlement.

WEAC members are urged to go to the OnWEAC Cyberlobby in the Members Only section and send an e-mail to your legislators opposing AB 361 and AB 267.