Markell wants new State of Delaware employees to pay more for pension and health benefits

Markell wants new government employees to pay more for benefits to save the state nearly $100 million over the next five years.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell (D) used his weekly address (you can watch it here) to explain his plans to cut costs when it comes to state employees benefits.

Under Markell’s Health and Pension Protection Plan, workers who are hired by the state after January 1, 2011 would pay more for their pension and health benefits than current Delaware employees.  Markell says the new workers would still be eligible for a pension when they’ve worked enough years in eligible jobs.  The change would save the state $96-million over the next five years.  “This simple change will improve the long-term strength and sustainability of our pension and health plans, and drive down some long-term demands on our state’s budget.”

He says while Delaware is not in the position of many other states where pension and benefit plans for employees are seriously underfunded, taking action now will create long-term savings.