At a time when nearly 10% of American workers are unemployed, taxes are rising, families are tightening their belts, and the federal government has showered more than $100 billion in stimulus money on K-12 schools to avoid cuts, we are seeing a slew of newspaper articles about “double dipping” in education. Double dipping is the practice of “retiring” from an education job and then, because of loopholes in teacher pension plans, returning to work with full pay and full pension benefits. By doing so they can increase the money they take home by about 60% for doing the same job (it varies across state plans and individual circumstances). It’s a nice deal if you can get it.
A quick Google News search for double dipping teacher retirement yields the following 15 articles from 7 different states in the last month alone. Maybe after seeing their ranks decimated by layoffs and pay-cuts reporters aren’t as eager to promote the false grievance of the starving teacher.
Contract allows one county to beat ‘double dipping’ law
Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Christopher Curry – 7 hours ago
Pension limit lifted for working retirees
Arkansas Democrat Gazette – Andy Davis – Aug 3, 2009
Teachers delay union negotiations
Winona Post – Cynthya Porter – Jul 29, 2009
Vote postponed on raise for South Euclid-Lyndhurst superintendent
Sun News – cleveland.com – Ed Wittenberg – Jul 29, 2009
EDITORIAL >>Taxpayers robbed again
Arkansas Leader – Jul 29, 2009
School Board ‘Retirees’ Pulling In $3.4 A Year
Broward New Times – Bob Norman – Jul 27, 2009
Teachers see retire-rehire practice end
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette – Angela Mapes Turner – Jul 26
Lee educators get DROP on law’s loophole
The News-Press – ryan lengerich – Jul 25, 2009
Saturday special: Double dippers
Arkansas Times – Jul 25, 2009
More on double dipping
Arkansas Times – Jul 23, 2009
Geiler lands at Providence Day
Posted by Jay P. Greene 
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