Another sad outcome of “Walker’s Way” is a rise in potential retirements from the public sector. The Cap Times reported that, compared to the same time last year, retirements have jumped 31%. Requests for estimates of retirement benefits increased 69% from the same time period last year.
This is hardly a surprise given the sweeping cuts, the rise in health care costs, the new pension contributions and the potential to lose additional retirement benefits moving forward. If I was in a position to retire, I would have to seriously consider it.
For those who were already considering retirement and are truly ready to stop working, this is obviously a great time. But what about the other workers who will do this as a preemptive measure to protect themselves and the benefits they have worked for? These are experienced and dedicated employees. They represent a level of knowledge and commitment that is hard to quantify. Losing them in large numbers is not a good thing.
Any educator will tell you that the profession is truly a lifetime commitment with a learning curve that can seem never ending. Veteran teachers (at any grade level) are critical for what they offer students and new teachers alike. Much of what they do and know comes from years of experience and ongoing education. For higher education specifically, greater than average retirements mean the potential loss of key faculty members—those who conduct research, help advance programs, mentor graduate students, and provided stability for departments, among so many other important things.
Consider the following: a long time university faculty member retires earlier than expected. Among her many duties, she teaches advanced graduate courses, specialized undergraduate courses, supervises teaching assistants, and serves on several committees. Her research is nationally known and has helped her department expand. She is often awarded grants and continually works on new initiatives to improve student learning. She has devoted years to her profession and her institution. All of these contributions come to an abrupt end.
Who will replace her and others like her? In some cases, maybe no one will. Literally, some jobs may go unfilled due to budget cuts. In that case, there will be more work for less money and fewer resources to support day to day functions. Or, the jobs that can be filled are likely to be filled with cheaper labor, almost certainly workers with less experience, possibly even through part-time and/or contingent postions. New talent is not a bad thing, but the loss of people with long histories and institutional memory could take many, years to recoup.
More sad news for higher education. More sad news for Wisconsin.
