Double Dipper Position

From what I understand, there has been much discussion about where UPEA stands on the “Double Dipper” issue. As many of you are already aware, on 11/11/09, an audit of the Cost of Benefits for Reemployed Retirees and Part-Time Employees was presented to the legislative Audit Subcommittee indicating that there was a significant cost associated with “Double Dippers” in the state of Utah. This information was also presented in the Retirement and Independent Entities interim committee on 11/12/09.

The UPEA State Board of Directors recently took a position on the “Double Dipper” issue. Last Saturday (11/14/2009) the State Board unanimously voted to oppose any legislation that will change the benefit for current employees who are reemployed retirees. However, as UPEA does not know what the proposed legislation will contain, and until a bill is released, it is difficult to know how the legislation will affect current reemployed retirees.

In the meantime, UPEA is educating and lobbying legislators as to the benefit the state receives from employing retirees. Also, we are in the process of compiling numerous examples of employees who have been reemployed into the workforce for a positive public relations campaign in the media. There is a difference between individuals who retire in place, such as the abuses the media has recently portrayed, and employees who have dedicated themselves to a career in state government and are now applying their institutional knowledge to better the workplace and serve the public.