The date of retirement for these workers was October 1, with the exception of 1,300 employees of our state's universities and colleges who have a retirement date of December 31. This is to avoid turmoil within the fall semester.

Retirement Board staffers said that over 100 employees had withdrawn their applications prior to the October 1 retirement date and a number of college personnel would undoubtedly withdraw prior to December 31. This is a pattern consistent with last year's ERI.

Employees signing to retire received an extra five-years credit in either age or service time, or a combination of the two, whichever best serves their individual circumstances.

Under law, only Group 1 employees were eligible for the ERI. Group 4 public safety personnel, such as correction officers, Group 3 (state police) and Group 2 (direct care workers in state hospitals) were not included. Since only 20% of the vacant jobs could be filled by non-hires, the latter groups could not participate.

Among our Association's many friends who retired was Pat Scanlan, Clerk of the State Senate. Pat, who lives in Salem, started as a Senate page after graduating from Saint Anselm College at age 23.

Now, at age 51, Scanlan decided this was an "opportunity he couldn't refuse," especially since his wife had already retired under last year's ERI.

"Pat and his assistants have always been very helpful to our Association in tracking legislation or giving advice," said Legislative Liaison Shawn Duhamel. "But now he'll be one of our members that we can continue to call on for help."

The local early retirement incentive program, which was authorized by the Legislature, continues underway. It is a five-year maximum ERI that local governments have an option to accept. Acceptance must be by November 1, with a retirement date no later than December 31. If accepted, each city, town, county, district or authority can set its own limit on numbers of retirements and which employee groups are eligible.

At this point, the following have accepted a local early-out plan: Athol, Attleboro, Bridgewater Housing Auth., Bridgewater-Raynham Reg. Sch., Easthampton, Edgartown, Essex Reg., Fitchburg, Fitchburg Redev. Auth., Lowell, MWRA, N. Adams, N. Andover Housing Auth., Northampton, Salem and Worcester.