Support HB 5197-An Early Out for Covered State Employees

The State of Michigan and the Department of Corrections continue to face budget challenges.  With the pending closures of 8 facilities, and a total for the year of 11, layoffs are unavoidable.  While other state employees have been offered Early Out retirements in recent years, we have not.  This bill is our chance.  It would allow us our turn at an Early Out and at a time when it would help to limit the number of layoffs our members face. 

We need to work hard though to get this through.  We need the support of our officers, our family members, and our friends... and finally our legislators.  So spread the word, speak up, and take action now!

Talking Points

• HB 5197 would offer an Early Out Retirement for Covered Employees in the Defined Benefit plan. 
• Those with a combined age plus years of covered service equal to or greater than 70 would be eligible.
• The number of officers who would qualify number in the hundreds... thus it would significantly help to curb the number   of pending layoffs.
• Covered state employees have been left out of the last few state employee Early Outs.