PERS reform bill would require more work for retirement

CARSON CITY — The bill to reform the Public Employees Retirement System was introduced today in the Senate Finance Committee.

Under the bill, new local and state government employees starting next year would have to work two years longer before they would be eligible to retire with full benefits.

Police and firefighters would be required to work as long as five years longer before they would be eligible to retire with full retirement benefits.

The bill would not affect existing employees.

Now firefighters and police can retire as young as 46 with full benefits after working 25 years on the job. Other employees can retire at any age with full benefits with about 30 years on the job.

"This bill is a major shift from what we have presently," said Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas. "This shows we are very serious about reform this session."

Reforming PERS has been one of the major stumbling blocks between Republicans and Democrats as they look for compromises to end the 2009 session.

Horsford said a hearing will be conducted on the PERS changes soon.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.