© 2025 | Jefferson Public Radio
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6301 | 800.782.6191
Listen | Discover | Engage a service of Southern Oregon University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Oregon Lawmakers Fear Wave Of Public Employee Retirements

Molly J. Smith/Statesman Journal
About 300 firefighters from across the state listen as Karl Koenig, legislative director for the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council, addresses them from the steps of the Capitol on Feb. 13.

Salem financial advisor Denny Moore is fielding anxious calls.

At the Public Employees Retirement System, sign-ups for pre-retirement planning sessions are running 30 percent ahead of last year.

Marion County workers are “weighing their options and considering retirement sooner rather than later,” top HR staff says.

At the Oregon Legislature, lawmakers are choosing their words carefully when the testimony turns to PERS. They say with words alone they could launch a wave of retirements at public agencies across the state.

Read more at the Statesman Journal.

Congress and the President have spoken. While this is a devastating result, JPR's commitment to its mission and values and our resolve to achieve them remain stronger than ever. Together with NPR, we’ll continue to bring you rigorous journalism, local news, courageous storytelling, and inspired music – every day. Help us increase listener support by 25% to make up for lost federal funding.