Governor Kaine,

Please consider offering early retirement options to State employees who are perhaps 18 months out from being eligible for retirement under current State laws.  Many municipals have elected this option to realize significant savings.

Savings would be immediate by refilling only job-essential positions.  As we all know, salary expenses are the highest costs in any business.  Rather than eliminating positions for those who would only end up in the unemployment line, offer an early retirement option to personnel who are ready and willing to bear the cost reduction.    

Early retirement would eliminate State liabilities for those employees electing to take the option.  Immediate savings would be reflected in the areas of health insurance, vacation and sick pay, as well as long and short term disability benefits just to name a few.

Your serious consideration to offer early retirement options to State employees would be greatly appreciated amoung Virginia residents.