BARNSTABLE – Nearly two dozen Barnstable County employees may soon have more time on their hands as an early retirement incentive program has cleared all state hurdles.
The county’s early retirement plan received the final approval from the Massachusetts Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission earlier this month and was approved by County Commissioners unanimously last week.
County Administrator Jack Yunits says the plan was adopted to restructure and take a hard look at administrative overhead, and reduce staff and personnel obligations moving forward.
To be eligible to retire, employees must be 55 with at least 15 years of service, or 20 years of service if under 55.
There are 51 county employees who are eligible to retire early.
“We have 20 names and if they formalize their acceptance into the program those names will be submitted to the retirement board and the retirement board will process their applications accordingly,” Yunits said. “And by May the 15th we will have 20 fewer employees.”
Yunits says some of the positions will need to be filled.
“Treasurers, finance directors and so on and so forth, by law, have to be a part of the system,” Yunits said.
The program is expected to save the county $250,000 per year for the next decade.
“By July 1st we will have a clear picture of the amount of savings moving forward,” Yunits said.
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