Senators Slam Proposed Legislation to Move Their Retirement Age From 60 to 65

Senators on Wednesday blasted a bill that sought to increase the age they would be eligible for retirement compensation from 60 to 65, ultimately refusing to hold a vote on at the controversial measure sponsored by Senator Alma Francis-Heyliger during a Committee on Government Operations and Consumer Protection hearing.

Ms. Francis-Heyliger contended that 65 was the standard age of retirement across many areas of government. “We have to be fair across the board as much as we can, and I find that when it comes to us as representatives, we have to lead by example. Leading by example for me is being part of the trenches of all those people that have to work up to the age of 65.”

Senator Javan James disagreed with Ms. Francis-Heyliger's "across the board" statement, asking aloud whether the measure would include the other two branches of government. He said that after one term in office, a governor and lieutenant governor collects 40 percent of their pay regardless of age, and that number jumps to 80 percent if a governor is elected for a second term. Government Employees' Retirement System Administrator Austin Nibbs confirmed Mr. Jame's statement.

“Are we really talking all across the board today? If you’re going to bring legislation, bring legislation that is all across the board if you really want to talk about impact," Mr. James said.

A universal threshold of age 65 should be set, suggested Mr. Nibbs in response to a question from Senator Milton Potter. “It’s my position maybe we should just set a universal rat. We have recommended [age] 65 years ago," he said.