10:00 PM PST on Monday, January 11, 2010

By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise

In an effort to avoid layoffs, the Riverside County court system is expected to offer early retirement to 78 employees — a move that could save more than $7 million a year.

Under a measure before the Board of Supervisors today, the court employees would receive an additional two years of service credit in their pension accounts if they decide to retire between Feb. 1 and May 1.

They must be at least 50, have at least five years of service with CalPers, the state’s public employee retirement system, and retire within the 90-day time period.

The incentives come at a time of severe budget constraints for the county and court system.

The early retirements are needed due to a projected $10 million decrease in state funding for the courts in the fiscal year starting July 1, according to the measure supervisors will consider.

The county itself also faces declining revenues and officials must bridge a budget gap of more than $70 million.

And although the retirements could save money over time, they will require upfront costs — the two-year increase to retirement accounts as well as all unused vacation time — that must be paid by the court system and county government, according to the proposal.

The Superior Court and Riverside County under state law jointly participate in CalPers through a contract with the county.

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