By Lily Zhao
<[email protected]>

In this time of economic crisis, jobs are lost and savings are taking a hit. However, government officials in Florida are not complaining. Recently, the issue of retired elected officials double-dipping into company funds has bubbled up again. Half a year ago, these double-dippers took advantage of a loophole in Florida’s state law that allowed them to retire and then return to their old jobs with a new salary and pension. So while these officials are taking more money, millions who are left without jobs are wondering if this ridiculous situation is fair.

Back in 1998, the state created the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) to encourage highly paid employees to retire and make way for others who make less. Under DROP, employees who are 62 or have at least 30 years of service retire, but continue working up to five years while their retirement benefits are put into a special account. In 2001, many elected officials tried to amend DROP so that they would not have to be a part of the five year retirement policy, thus creating the loophole. And according to the St. Petersburg Times, at least 220 elected officials and almost 10,000 members have been collecting paychecks and pensions at the same time.

Here’s one way to spin it: DROP costs the state money because of how people play the system. If an employee wants to keep working into normal retirement age, fine. But that employee can actually get a lump-sum payment that is intended for people who really retire. By double-dipping, that employee is collecting more in retirement benefits than if they took the pension only after really retiring. Furthermore, double-dipping keeps younger, lower-paid workers off the state payroll. In other words, the program can have the opposite effect. And it also sends a greedy message to taxpayers who are the ones financing the state’s retirement program.

The answer, however, may be eliminating state pensions and shifting to a defined compensation program similar to the way private businesses operate. And the solution is near. A bill that would stop officials from double-dipping was approved in early April by members of the Senate Community Affairs Committee. Filed by Florida senators, the bill would force anyone who retires after Jan. 1, 2010, to temporarily relinquish a pension if they return to work and begin collecting a salary. The provision would apply to all state employees, elected officials and 900 local governmental companies. Elected officials would no longer be able to win reelection and retire, before returning to the same job and a new term in office.

Now that is a solution worth fighting for. It could potentially help the working class and economy all at the same time. Lily Zhao is a sports editor for the HiLite. Contact her at [email protected].