Some long-term state employees are finding public service rather cushy. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan has spent 38 years working for the state, and he’s earned some generous benefits.
He officially retired on March 1 and began to draw down on his pension. But Keenan still works full time.
“There’s no change in my status other than now I’m able to draw retirement benefits for six months out of the year,” Keenan says. “Everything else—the work day, the amount of work, the responsibilities—remains the same.”
Keenan says he formally retired because that was the only way he could designate how his survivors divided his benefits.
Last year, 11 other retirees received both paychecks and pensions from the state.
Georgia law permits qualified full-time employees to receive retirement benefits six months a year.
That means Keenan will receive a pension of $54, 354, in addition to his $143,420 salary.
He officially retired on March 1 and began to draw down on his pension. But Keenan still works full time.
“There’s no change in my status other than now I’m able to draw retirement benefits for six months out of the year,” Keenan says. “Everything else—the work day, the amount of work, the responsibilities—remains the same.”
Keenan says he formally retired because that was the only way he could designate how his survivors divided his benefits.
Last year, 11 other retirees received both paychecks and pensions from the state.
Georgia law permits qualified full-time employees to receive retirement benefits six months a year.
That means Keenan will receive a pension of $54, 354, in addition to his $143,420 salary.
