"80 percent of the state, county and city budget deficits are due to employee costs"

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by wburg

You do know that this isn't true, right?

Well, it might be a little over the top... but, not all that much here in California for some CALPERS members.

Here is a clip from the local newspaper for a police officer that made his way through the ranks and is retiring at 51 years after 29 1/2 years service (30 years credit due to applying unused sick leave and vacation)

"Kozicki's pension will be close to his budgeted salary of $187,351 because he will receive premiums for having a bachelor's degree and a Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate"

What many forget is they also receive lifetime medical... it's easy to see the value of the total package easily exceeds yearly pay after a few years...

[NewToCA]

The problem we get into though is the odd specific story vs the statistical facts.

When looking at California state employee compensation, what is the mean salary, and what is the mean pension?

I think mean is more significant as a measuring tool than median, more accurately accounting for total cost.

Looking at total personnel cost though, it seems to be a reach to state that our state budget is having problems due to pensions. This would only be true if the LAO isn't fully presenting the personnel cost.

[wburg]

Ultrarunner: What you have there is a worst-case scenario--the extreme exception, not the rule. Law enforcement officers' retirement is 3% a year that they worked, so they cap out at 90% after 30 years. Most state employees get 2% a year, so they cap out lower and it takes a longer time. People have taken the worst-case scenario to be the standard...typically state employees retire with about 40-50% of their base pay.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by wburg

Ultrarunner: What you have there is a worst-case scenario--the extreme exception, not the rule. Law enforcement officers' retirement is 3% a year that they worked, so they cap out at 90% after 30 years. Most state employees get 2% a year, so they cap out lower and it takes a longer time. People have taken the worst-case scenario to be the standard...typically state employees retire with about 40-50% of their base pay.

Thank you for the explanation... I'm really far outside the circle of civil service except for a group of Law Enforcement friends I've know since High School...

Confidentially, most have said they had no idea the extent of total benefits a career in Law Enforcement provided at the time they signed up... it could also be a Bay Area California thing since wages tend towards the high side anyway.

It does make for interesting headlines... especially during these economic times.