Early retirement

To the editor:

So, once again we have the proposal to have an early retirement for state employees which will help reduce the work force by attrition or allow the filling of positions by those making a much lower rate. This also shifts the state’s responsibility to pay from the financially burdened state to the currently underfunded Kansas Public Employees Retirement system.

During the Bennett and Carlin administrations, the budget got balanced by withholding the “employer’s contribution” and promising to make it up later. The withheld contributions were never replaced — to do so now will cost more.

While the early retirement proposals may help some in the short run, it is highly questionable whether it is a good solution in the long term. Ultimately, it will be the Legislature rather than the governor, budget division or any negotiating team that will have to make the decision.