UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente is proposing an Early Retirement Plan for Oneida County employees who retire by January 1.

Picente said the size of the incentive that employees would receive will be based on the total numbers of those retiring. Employees who participate will receive a lump sum of $10,000 each if 1 to 49 employees participate; $15,000 if between 50 and 99 employees participate; and $20,000 each if 100 or more employees participate. Picente said an estimated 300 employees would be eligible to participate in the early retirement plan.

"The total savings will depend on the actual numbers of retirees, but I am hopeful that this is a way we can reduce costs for 2010 while also creating a major opportunity for change in our structure," Picente said. "Positions that are vacated by early retirements will be eliminated where possible, with up to 50% of those positions being permanently eliminated."

"A properly structured early retirement plan can generate important savings," Picente said. "When long-time employees retire after many years of faithful service, they are at the high end of the county salary scale. If, after a review of a position being vacated, we decide that this position should be filled, the person who fills the slot will be a new hire at the lower end of the salary range. Our goal is to offer this plan and create a savings in salaries over and above the cost of the incentive."

"I know that Oneida County has many long-time employees who are looking to leave full-time county employment, but also have some concerns that may be holding them back. The retirement incentive plan we are proposing will give those workers some cash up front that they can invest or save."

County workers are eligible to participate if they are

*Eligible for retirement in accordance with the New York State Retirement System

*A minimum of 55 years old as of December 31st, 2009 with 10 continuous years of service as a county employee;

*Retiring as of January 1st, 2010

Picente said that employees who want to retire must act by September 30th; any retirement filing becomes irrevocable as of October 1st. He said that officials from the New York State Comptroller's Office will be coming to Oneida County to help employees weigh the fiscal issues involved in retirement.

"Offering this incentive at this time is designed to help employees who want to leave the workforce, and also to help reduce the cost of providing essential services to the people of Oneida County," Picente said. "I am presenting this as an option for our eligible employees to consider in light of their own personal and financial circumstances."