Lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit former public sector employees who receive retirement benefits from going back to work in related jobs.
Supporters of the bill say it’s unfair when a retiree comes back into the workforce and deprives current workers of the chance for advancement. They also argue that the practice contributes to the unfunded liability of the retirement system.
“When someone is drawing from the retirement system, while at the same still working, they are no longer contributing to the system. This, in fact, will have a negative impact on those state employees who have not retired,” says state Rep. Heidi Sampson, a Republican from Alfred who sponsored the bill.
Opponents of the measure say there are shortages of workers in key positions such as school principals and teachers that are being filled by retirees, and that an outright ban would hurt students.
“Our associations oppose this bill because it is not in the best interest of students since it eliminates our flexibility to hire quality people when and where we need them. There is an undeniable teacher shortage in Maine,” says Eileen King of the Maine School Management Association.
