FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2018
CONTACT: Dave Foreman 703-987-7165/703-451-8873
Fairfax, VA - Today, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS) came one step closer to making much needed changes to the County's pension plans for employees hired after July 1, 2019. The BOS voted today to approve a proposed amendment to the ordinance for Fairfax County's three retirement systems to abolish the pre-social security supplement employees receive until the age of 67, to be effective for new employees hired after July 1, 2019. The Board declined to adopt three other proposed changes.
Since joining the board in 2008, Supervisor Herrity has been advocating to address the County's compensation and pension issues. Supervisor Herrity asked for a review of the County's pension plans and in 2013, the BOS made some minor changes to the plans. Following additional advocacy for changes to address the plan's unfunded liability and cost, the Board began another review in late 2016.
Supervisor Herrity provided the following statement:
"Today the Board took another step in reforming the County's unsustainable pension cost by eliminating the pre-social security supplement for new employees. Unfortunately, the Board did not pass three of the other reforms proposed by County staff."
"While I believe the Board missed an opportunity to develop an overall compensation plan that would provide a mix of salary, pensions, and benefits that would attract the best employees and teachers, these changes are is meaningful and I supported the change".
"This is not just about my concern over the fiscal sustainability of the County's pension plans. Pension costs compete with our ability to provide quality services to our residents and to pay competitive salaries to hire the best and brightest teachers and employees."
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Web: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/springfield
Email: springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone: 703-451-8873