Heard of AFSCME's "D.R.O.P." program?
D.R.O.P. allows government employees to announce their retirement as they approach eligibility -- but five years early. During those last five years, they are granted their state-funded retirement pay IN ADDITION TO their regular salary.
The D.R.O.P. payments don't apply to the last years' total average, so the state doesn't complain. The state starts retirement payouts earlier at a lower dollar figure, which saves the state money.
The county doesn't complain because it can replace one "long-dollar" employee with three young employees.
The Feds get a bigger slice of the bloated paycheck.
EVERYBODY WINS!
http://www.afscme.org/publications/9650.cfm