“Pension Tension”: The Political and Public Reaction to “Double Dipping”

In the wake of a June 20 analysis by Ohio’s eight largest newspapers into the practice the practice of public employees retiring and then being rehired, reports of policy changes and additional investigations continue…

…at the state level:

“‘Double dip’ legislation possible Senate leader: Pension plans require action” (June 23)

“Pension reform ahead over double dipping” (June 29)

“Ohio public pension systems’ refusal to disclose records draws attention of state lawmakers” (August 12)

“Retirement funds: All state workers will pay for fixes” (January 30, 2011)

…by individual districts

Canton City Schools: “Canton Board of Education to adopt double-dipping policy” (June 29)

…by newspapers

“Ohio public retirement systems refuse to release records to newspapers analyzing benefits and possible abuses” (August 8)

“Open the books: Public pensions should be scrutinized before getting more taxpayer cash” (August 11)

“Pension officials traveled in style: Public systems’ excursions exceeded $1 million in year” (September 8)

“Teachers to sacrifice for pensions” (January 27)

 

Ohio Newspapers Examine Pension “Double-Dipping”

The eight largest newspapers in Ohio are collaborating on an analysis of “double dipping,” the practice of public employees retiring and then being rehired (sometimes in the same position), thereby collecting both a pension and a salary.

Articles began Sunday 6/20 with a focus on superintendents:

• Akron Beacon-Journal:

“Many top educators double dip the system”
“School chiefs get better deal than teachers”
“Retirees still on job“

• Canton Repository:

“Superintendents tap pensions while working new jobs”
“Experience trumps savings: Rehiring retired superintendents becoming the norm in Ohio”
“One in four working Ohio school superintendents collects pension”
“Pension formula encourages early retirement”
“Should Ohio’s pension system be reformed?“

• Cincinnati Enquirer:

“More public-school superintendents in Ohio are collecting pensions and paychecks”
“Rules encourage school employees to ‘double dip‘”

• Cleveland Plain Dealer:

“Double-dipping state and local employees collect paycheck and a pension”
“Savings aren’t automatic when schools hire a retired superintendent“

• Columbus Dispatch:

“Pension rules allow educators to double dip“

• Dayton Daily News:

“Pension rules encourage school retire-rehire deals”
“Retire-rehire contracts are a bargain for school districts, area superintendents say“

• Toledo Blade:

“Double dipping saps pension fund as school superintendents cash in”
“Rules entice educators to collect pensions early“

• Youngstown Vindicator:

“OHNO report: Retire, then rehire”
“Poland schools chief: Board wanted me back”
“Retirement fund inspires teachers to exit jobs early to quit early“

Other topics…the benefit levels for pensions:

• Cincinnati Enquirer: “Teachers’ retirement benefits have grown generous“

…the influence of the state’s five public pension systems in the legislature:

• Cincinnati Enquirer: “Pension funds have their own power“
• Cleveland Plain Dealer: “Ohio’s public pension systems have cash and an army of constituents to lobby legislators“
• Columbus Dispatch: “Pensions lobby has power at Statehouse“
• Toledo Blade: “Ohio pension funds’ wallets wield power“
• Youngstown Vindicator: “Public pensions peddle influence“

…confidentiality of pension information:

• Akron Beacon-Journal: “Records for retirees off-limits in Ohio“
• Canton Repository: “Ohio pension records off-limits to taxpayers“
• Cincinnati Enquirer: “Taxpayers get little info on state pensions“
• Cleveland Plain Dealer: “Ohio taxpayers pay for state workers’ pensions, but state law keeps the amount private“
• Columbus Dispatch: “Don’t mention that pension“

…editorials:

• Canton Repository: “Pension systems turn ‘retirement’ on its head“
• Cincinnati Enquirer: “State pension system in peril”  “Why shouldn’t we have access to Ohio pensions?“
• Columbus Dispatch: “Pension peril: Double-dipping, rising health-care costs add up to unsustainable system“