Report: 1,000 Minn. state workers seek early retirement

More than 1,000 Minnesota state employees opted for an early retirement program in the past nine months, saving the state an estimated $47 million over three years.

A Minnesota Management and Budget report obtained Monday by The Associated Press updates lawmakers on early retirements under a 2010 law offering extended health and dental coverage to workers with at least 15 years of state service.

The update comes as lawmakers consider reducing the state work force and curbing employee benefits to save more money.

The report says the early retirement perk went to 1,030 workers averaging almost 29 years of service. About 60 percent of their jobs were filled, while the rest were eliminated.

About 40 percent of the early retirees gave up jobs in the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)