RENO (AP) - A panel formed by Gov. Gibbons to reduce government
waste is considering major reductions in state employee health and
retirement benefits.

At a meeting Friday in Reno, the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission considered changes to the Public Employee Benefits Program and Public Employees Retirement System.

Among other things, the panel discussed a proposal that would require state employees to be at least 60 years of age before they could begin collecting pension benefits.

Employees currently can retire at any age after working a certain minimum number of years.

The commission, headed by former U.S. Printer Bruce James, also considered a proposal that would reduce the rate at which retirement benefits would accrue for state employees.

No action was taken on any of the proposals.

Panel members say the proposed changes to retirement and health benefits would have to be much more thoroughly reviewed before final recommendations are sent to the governor.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-10-25-08 1952EDT