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While Awaiting Study, Florida House Begins State Pension Overhaul Talks

WFSU | By Sascha Cordner
Published February 18, 2015 at 6:23 PM EST
Getty Images/iStockphoto

While the Senate has said it won’t start any talks to reform Florida’s Retirement System this year, a House panel is moving forward.

During Wednesday’s presentation, House State Affairs Committee members heard that Florida’s Retirement System is funded at 86.6 percent—a percentage proponents of the system say means it’s, “actuarially sound.”

Still, the Republican-led House is considering reviving an idea that failed last year. It would close the state’s pension plan—the most popular retirement option—to new employees hired after July 1st of next year. But, Democrats, like Rep. Irv Slosberg (D-Boca Raton), don’t see the point.

“The question is why are we closing the pension plan to new enrollees,” asked Slosberg. “Why are we doing this?”

Meanwhile, the results of a special study—requested by House Speaker Steve Crisafulli last month—looking into the reform’s feasibility are slated to come during the first week of Session on March 6th.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.
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State News pension changespension reformstate employeesstate employee retirementFlorida Retirement SystemHouse Speaker Steve CrisafulliSteve CrisafulliRepresentative Irv Slosberg
Sascha Cordner
Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.
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