Phased Retirements for Feds

Last week, panelists at the RSA Conference in San Francisco discussed the great need for cybersecurity experts and other IT professionals in the federal government, particularly as experienced Baby Boomers transition into retirement. An amendment passed by the Senate on Thursday would help alleviate the brain drain by authorizing phased retirements for feds.

The amendment, which was attached to the surface transportation bill (S. 1813) and passed by a vote of 82-16, would help offset costs of economic development projects in rural areas.

Specifically, the amendment would allow federal workers to receive partial annuities and earn additional retirement benefits proportional to the amount of time they work. Those workers also would be required to mentor younger, newer employees.

The Obama administration proposed phased retirements for federal employees in its fiscal 2013 budget released in February. The administration estimated that the proposal would save $720 million over the next decade, in part by spacing out retirements and new hires.

Still, federal unions voiced opposition to the amendment, noting it was just another example of lawmakers promoting deficit reduction on the backs of federal employees.

"It is completely outrageous for federal and postal employees to be required, again, to serve as the automated teller machine for programs having nothing to do with deficit reduction," said Beth Moten, legislative director for the American Federation of Government Employees, said in a letter to lawmakers.

"Our opposition to the Baucus amendment is in how this assistance for rural schools is being paid for. Federal employees have paid -- again and again and again," Moten added.

What are your thoughts on the amendment? Would having phased retirements help your agency cope with the pending brain drain? Or are you tired of being a prime target for federal budget deficit reduction?