Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

California Pension Committee Approves Retirement Compensation Proposals

A California Public Employees’ Retirement System committee approved a proposal Tuesday that would include the higher pay of temporarily promoted employees. Opponents say that could create opportunities for fraud. A vote could come Wednesday.

Christy Bouma with the California Professional Firefighters Union says it’s only fair that people who temporarily do the same jobs as permanent employees should earn the same pay and pension.

“They are working in that position,” Bouma said. “They are performing the duties that all of their peers would be performing in that upgraded position.”

Advertisement

California Gov. Jerry Brown's administration opposes adding the temporary assignment classification to CalPERS’ new pension rules.

Eric Stern with the Department of Finance says that would overstep a 2012 pension reform law.

“This disregards the rule that pensions will be based on normal monthly pay and not on short-term ad hoc pay increases,” he said.

According to the law, unused vacation pay or paid leave also cannot be used in calculating retirement pay.

The board is considering more than 100 new eligibility classifications.