Some Say Raising Retirement Age Would Increase Costs
Critics of Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) proposal to increase the retirement age of most new public workers from 55 to 67 say the plan likely would increase other government costs. Speaking at a hearing called by the joint Conference Committee on Public Employee Pensions, Ruben Rodriguez -- a union representative for the East Bay Municipal Utilities District -- said that people are more likely to become injured the longer they stay on the job. In addition, Ed Dermon of the California State Teachers Retirement System testified that older workers tend to use more medical care. No witnesses at the hearing spoke in support of the governor's plan.
- "Brown wants to raise California public retirement age to 67, but workers tell lawmakers that's not a great idea" (Small, "KPCC News," KPCC, 2/28).