GDOTEA forums

Recently some employees have been fired. I don't have a problem with firing employees when it is necessary. But I don't think I support taking away an employee's retirement benefits earned over the course of their career. I don't know if there is any other support of this, but maybe the Engineers Association could take this into consideration. While an employee is working they are contributing to the retirement system and the state is making contributions on their behalf. Once an employee is vested, they are entitled to some retirement income at age 65, even if they quit.

In the most recent example, a 29-year employee was fired and there was a desire expressed to take away his retirement. By taking an early retirement, the payout he will receive is substantially less than what it would have been if he had earned a full retirement. Therefore there is some punishment already and taking away the retirement entirely wipes out the future he earned and counted on. However the state wanted to take away the retirement entirely.

Another way to look at it is if the state offered a 401k program. Even if you were fired, you would still get to take your 401k holdings with you. If you are truly "fully vested" then that means even the employer's contributions are yours to keep. To me, once an employee is vested, the state should not go after their retirement even if the employee is fired for cause.