|
|
| Jail-Officers' Retirement Bettered by New Law |
| By Albuquerque Journal |
| Published: 04/18/2003 |
|
Officers who work for state and county prisons and jails across New Mexico will now be doing a lot less time before they're eligible to retire. Gov. Bill Richardson earlier this week signed a bill that cuts more than four years off the amount of time corrections officers must work before they're eligible to retire, putting them on par with State Police officers. The new 20-year, 10-month minimum means some veteran corrections officers who thought they were quite a few cell checks away from their golden years could be having their retirement shindigs much earlier than expected. The change also is expected to serve as a hiring incentive that will help fill the corrections officer ranks at the state level. The state Corrections Department hasn't been at full strength for decades. The new plan applies to state prison officers and supervisors as well as city and county jail officers, such as those at Albuquerque's Bernalillo County Detention Center. But it doesn't apply to workers at private prisons, where more than 40 percent of the state's 6,100-plus inmates are now housed. The new plan won't take effect until July 2004, after corrections officers vote on it, said John LaBombard, director of labor relations for state corrections. After it kicks in, workers eligible to retire must pay into the plan for a minimum of 18 months. State corrections union president Ralph Robles said under current retirement plans, officers who serve 25 years can retire with 75 percent of their pay. La Bombard said officers must work 26 years, 8 months to obtain 80 percent. Under the new plan, corrections officers can retire at a 75 percent pay level after working 20 years, 10 months. To get 80 percent, workers must serve for 22 years, 3 months. Corrections officers will now be paying more into their retirement with each paycheck. La Bombard said for state officers, that will mean about $30 more each paycheck. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
If you’re looking for a lawyer in Waco, you’ll need to know that the first to hire Dunnam & Dunnam usually wins. If you have a personal injury claim, an insurance claim, or other matter involving a court or business transaction you should contact the best Waco attorneys to explain your legal rights. You can contact them on the website link above.