GOP Looking For Pension Reform In 2014
GOP leaders seek changes to pensions
By SEAN MURPHY
Republican leaders in Oklahoma who have made major changes in recent years to the state’s pension systems say they aren’t finished with their work and plan to push next year to put an end to the traditional pension for new state workers.
Switching to a 401(k)-style retirement account for newly hired state employees, long a top goal of many fiscal conservatives, has been endorsed by the governor and legislative leaders in the House and Senate, although a battle undoubtedly will ensue with resistance from rank-and-file state workers.
Gov. Mary Fallin has endorsed a switch for state workers out of a traditional pension system, but isn’t yet married to any single proposal and wants to make sure any change keeps the state’s financial obligation to current pensioners, said her spokesman, Alex Weintz.
“I think there are multiple routes to meaningful pension reform,” Weintz said. “We want to pick one that will be successful.”