LINCOLN- Senators and school administrators expressed hesitation Wednesday in lowering, back to age 55, the minimum retirement age at which Nebraska school employees can step down with full benefits. Currently, eligible school employees face what is known as the “Rule of 85,” whereby if someone’s age plus years of service exceeds 85, that person can retire without any reductions in benefits. Employees who started before July 2018 can retire as young as 55, but employees hired after have to wait until at least age 60.

Tim Royers, president of the NSEA, said an amendment to reverse that “poor decision” would have little financial or staffing impact and could incentivize young educators to look ahead to retirement. “Our young educators deserve the same flexibility that I and other veteran teachers enjoy when it comes to deciding when we turn off the classroom lights for the last time,” Royers said at a Wednesday hearing on the proposed amendment, which he supported.

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