Gov. Christie Proposes More Pension Reforms
GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wants to make public employees pay more for their health and pension benefits.
Christie on Tuesday proposed rolling back a 9 percent benefit increase granted a decade ago. He would also require public workers to contribute 8.5 percent of their salaries toward retirement and would raise the retirement age to 65 for teachers and state workers.
Christie says pension and health benefits reforms are needed to keep the state's pension systems solvent long-term.
He laid out his plan during a town hall meeting in Gloucester Township at a senior center jammed with more than 150 people.
The pension system is $46 billion shy of liabilities.
Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney says the Senate won't consider additional reforms until the state stops shorting the system and begins making its annual payment.
The state skipped a $3 billion payment this year.
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