25 and out - is it sustainable?

[MartinJackson]

The public employees in this state have had a gravy train ride for too many years. Maybe teachers, firemen, and police are the backbone of our service workers, but that doesn't mean we should completely carry them in their pensions after they retire at 47. This is not sustainable. We are headed for bankruptcy if you look at the net cashflows.

The biggest offenders are the politicians - assembly people and senators who can retire after 20 or 25 years of service. These are much worse than the police, firemen and teachers because they have the power to change the laws, but won't.

In many cases, people who started in the system early enough can get another job in their 50's. We are still responsible for paying their lifetime pensions.

How will these pensions continue to be funded with declining tax revenues? Who has some reasonable solutions?

[mick2360]

The public employees in this state have had a gravy train ride for too many years. Maybe teachers, firemen, and police are the backbone of our service workers, but that doesn't mean we should completely carry them in their pensions after they retire at 47. This is not sustainable. We are headed for bankruptcy if you look at the net cashflows.

The biggest offenders are the politicians - assembly people and senators who can retire after 20 or 25 years of service. These are much worse than the police, firemen and teachers because they have the power to change the laws, but won't.

In many cases, people who started in the system early enough can get another job in their 50's. We are still responsible for paying their lifetime pensions.

How will these pensions continue to be funded with declining tax revenues? Who has some reasonable solutions?

Bump retirement up to sixty for all not engaged in police or fire work. These guys put it on the line every day.

[DarkSkies]

That's a fair way to differentiate things, Mick. I have a few friends in LE, one's a cop in Newark. He never got injured in the line of duty, yet. But the danger's always there. You never know when that MV stop will result in a bullet. I've heard some crazy stories from him over the years.

[ledhead36]

What about all the government people who have two jobs with pensions and only work a few hours a week. They need to put an end to that as well.