January 2009 Survey
| 1. How close are you to becoming eligible to retire? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 12,611 | ||
| skipped question | 52 | ||
| Response Percent | Response Count | ||
| More than 20 years |  | 19.6% | 2,475 |
| More than 15 but less than 20 years | | 13.4% | 1,688 |
| More than 10 but less than 15 years | | 14.0% | 1,768 |
| More than 5 but less than 10 years | | 17.8% | 2,242 |
| Less than 5 years | | 20.0% | 2,516 |
| I am currently eligible | | 9.8% | 1,241 |
| I am already a retiree and working as a return-to-work retiree. | | 5.4% | 681 |
| 2. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 the lowest and 5 the highest, how important is it to you for the legislature to restore the ERS retirement fund to actuarial soundness and to enable current and future retirees to receive benefit increases? For more information on this question, please click here. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 12,581 | ||
| skipped question | 82 | ||
| Response Percent | Response Count | ||
| 1 | | 1.4% | 172 |
| 2 | | 1.1% | 140 |
| 3 | | 7.1% | 899 |
| 4 | | 16.1% | 2,021 |
| 5 | | 74.3% | 9,349 |
| 3. If it is necessary for the legislature to restore the retirement fund to actuarial soundness, which alternative would you support, an increase in the ERS retirement contribution rate for active employees from the current 6 percent to no more than 6.5 percent, or a change in the current retirement eligibility from the current "Rule of 80" to a "Rule of 85"? For more information on this question, please click here. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 12,435 | ||
| skipped question | 228 | ||
| Response Percent | Response Count | ||
| Support increase in contribution rate | | 85.3% | 10,612 |
| Support change to "Rule of 85" | | 14.7% | 1,823 |
| 4. If it is necessary for the legislature to make changes to the retirement rules or benefit structure affecting CURRENT EMPLOYEES in order to help restore actuarial soundness to the ERS retirement fund, please indicate your level of support for each of these proposals. For more information on this question, please click here. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 12,564 | ||||||
| skipped question | 99 | ||||||
| 1 - Least Favorable | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 - Most Favorable | Rating Average | Response Count | |
Change rule of 80 to the rule of 85 | 65.8% (8,168) | 11.0% (1,366) | 10.3% (1,274) | 5.7% (709) | 7.2% (890) | 1.77 | 12,407 |
Increase in employee retirement contribution rate, not to exceed 6.5%. | 7.8% (971) | 6.7% (833) | 17.6% (2,187) | 23.6% (2,938) | 44.3% (5,511) | 3.90 | 12,440 |
Create a minimum retirement age of 60 | 43.1% (5,357) | 12.8% (1,593) | 15.1% (1,878) | 11.5% (1,427) | 17.4% (2,167) | 2.47 | 12,422 |
Prohibit the use of both sick and annual leave balances to speed up retirement eligibility. | 56.9% (7,072) | 14.8% (1,838) | 13.3% (1,650) | 6.9% (851) | 8.1% (1,011) | 1.94 | 12,422 |
Prohibit use of both sick and annual leave balances to add to lifetime service credit. | 59.9% (7,428) | 14.9% (1,847) | 12.9% (1,605) | 5.5% (682) | 6.7% (836) | 1.84 | 12,398 |
Use the highest 60 months salary for calculating retirement benefits, rather than the current highest 36 months. | 34.5% (4,278) | 14.4% (1,784) | 21.8% (2,698) | 13.6% (1,682) | 15.8% (1,961) | 2.62 | 12,403 |
Freeze both sick and annual leave balances on a specific date that can be used to speed up retirement eligibility, but continue to allow sick and annual leave balances to add to service credit. | 26.7% (3,302) | 15.8% (1,955) | 26.6% (3,294) | 15.9% (1,974) | 15.0% (1,855) | 2.77 | 12,380 |
| 5. The legislature may establish a new set of retirement eligibility policies for NEW EMPLOYEES to restore actuarial soundness to the ERS Retirement Plan. If they consider this option, there are several alternatives available. Please indicate your level of support for each of the following proposals. For more information on this question, please click here. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 12,511 | ||||||
| skipped question | 152 | ||||||
| 1 - Least Favorable | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 - Most Favorable | Rating Average | Response Count | |
Increase the vesting period from the current 5 years to 10 years. | 22.5% (2,789) | 12.5% (1,550) | 20.3% (2,512) | 17.0% (2,101) | 27.8% (3,440) | 3.15 | 12,392 |
Create a minimum retirement age of 60. | 32.2% (3,986) | 13.1% (1,622) | 18.8% (2,329) | 13.8% (1,706) | 22.1% (2,730) | 2.80 | 12,373 |
Increase in employee retirement contribution rate from 6% to no more than 6.5%. | 6.4% (789) | 6.2% (771) | 16.7% (2,069) | 22.3% (2,764) | 48.4% (6,005) | 4.00 | 12,398 |
Create a graduated retirement multiplier that starts at 2.1, then increases up to 2.3 with additional years of service. | 12.4% (1,514) | 11.9% (1,460) | 35.1% (4,301) | 21.0% (2,573) | 19.6% (2,400) | 3.24 | 12,248 |
Require retiring employees to choose only one use for their accrued annual leave—a lump sum cash payment, adding to lifetime service credit, or speeding up retirement eligibility. | 20.6% (2,542) | 12.2% (1,512) | 27.6% (3,411) | 18.3% (2,263) | 21.2% (2,621) | 3.07 | 12,349 |
Eliminate the ability to use both accrued sick leave and annual leave balances to speed up retirement eligibility. | 45.2% (5,591) | 16.7% (2,062) | 19.0% (2,351) | 8.8% (1,086) | 10.3% (1,270) | 2.22 | 12,360 |
| 6. If you were limited to using your accrued annual leave balance for only one of the three options listed, which would you choose? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 11,891 | ||
| skipped question | 772 | ||
| Response Percent | Response Count | ||
| Receive a lump sum payment for accrued annual leave. | | 50.7% | 6,033 |
| Only use annual leave balance to add to service credit. | | 21.5% | 2,556 |
| Only use annual leave balance to speed up your retirement eligibility. | | 27.8% | 3,302 |
| 7. If the legislature changes state policy regarding retirees who return-to-work, please indicate your level of support for the following policy changes. For more information on this question, please click here. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 12,078 | ||||||
| skipped question | 585 | ||||||
| 1 - Least Favorable | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 - Most Favorable | Rating Average | Response Count | |
Establish a 90 day period after employees retire before any state agency can rehire retirees (currently there is a 30 day waiting period) | 30.2% (3,623) | 11.6% (1,388) | 19.2% (2,305) | 16.1% (1,926) | 23.0% (2,755) | 2.90 | 11,997 |
Establish a 180 day period after employees retire before any state agency can rehire retirees (currently there is a 30 day waiting period) | 42.0% (5,028) | 13.3% (1,593) | 14.5% (1,733) | 10.1% (1,208) | 20.1% (2,410) | 2.53 | 11,972 |
Impose a limit that return to work retirees can only receive their annuity check for 9 months in any calendar year (currently there is no limitation) | 48.4% (5,793) | 12.1% (1,447) | 15.4% (1,836) | 9.0% (1,080) | 15.1% (1,801) | 2.30 | 11,957 |
Prohibit ERS retirees from returning to service with the state | 62.9% (7,549) | 10.4% (1,243) | 10.0% (1,205) | 4.1% (486) | 12.6% (1,516) | 1.93 | 11,999 |
| 8. Currently, retirees can qualify for full state-paid health coverage if they retire under the Rule of 80 or are age 65 with at least 10 years of state service. If rising costs require the legislature to change eligibility for retiree health coverage, please indicate your level of support for the following options. For more information on this question, please click here. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 12,090 | ||||||
| skipped question | 573 | ||||||
| 1 - Least Favorable | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 - Most Favorable | Rating Average | Response Count | |
Increase the minimum number of years service to become eligible to 15 | 34.7% (4,157) | 14.9% (1,787) | 18.6% (2,224) | 13.2% (1,578) | 18.6% (2,224) | 2.66 | 11,970 |
Have the state pay premiums on a sliding scale beginning with 50 percent after 10 years (at age 65), 75 percent after 15 years, and pay the full premium after 20 years lifetime service. | 31.0% (3,712) | 13.0% (1,561) | 18.9% (2,267) | 15.6% (1,869) | 21.4% (2,565) | 2.83 | 11,974 |
Give active employees the option to forgo eligibility for retiree health insurance but receive enhanced compensation as an active employee. | 33.1% (3,959) | 16.2% (1,939) | 24.5% (2,929) | 12.4% (1,486) | 13.7% (1,634) | 2.57 | 11,947 |
Require employees who retire before they are eligible for Medicare at age 65 to pay ERS the monthly premium cost for Medicare Part B. | 52.2% (6,233) | 16.7% (1,990) | 16.6% (1,988) | 7.4% (881) | 7.2% (857) | 2.01 | 11,949 |
Do away with any state contribution for dependent coverage for qualifying retirees. | 56.7% (6,793) | 14.3% (1,707) | 13.8% (1,653) | 5.7% (677) | 9.5% (1,141) | 1.97 | 11,971 |
| 9. The three major components of the state employee compensation package are health care benefits, retirement benefits, and salary. Of these three components, how do you and/or your family value them? (Your responses should be numerical and equal 100%) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 11,752 | |||
| skipped question | 911 | |||
| Response Average | Response Count | |||
| Health Care Benefits % | 31.22% | 11,689 | ||
| Retirement Benefits % | 29.37% | 11,661 | ||
| Salary % | 40.14% | 11,651 | ||
| 12. What is your gender? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 11,969 | ||
| skipped question | 694 | ||
| Response Percent | Response Count | ||
| Male | | 38.1% | 4,555 |
| Female | | 61.9% | 7,414 |
| 14. In which generation were you born? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 11,928 | ||
| skipped question | 735 | ||
| Response Percent | Response Count | ||
| Traditionalist (prior to 1946) | | 4.4% | 520 |
| Boomers (1946-1964) | | 61.6% | 7,344 |
| Gen X (1965-1985) | | 33.6% | 4,007 |
| Gen Y (1986-2001) | | 0.5% | 57 |
| 16. From the drop down list, please select the agency for which you currently work: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 11,934 | ||
| skipped question | 729 | ||
| Response Percent | Response Count | ||
| House of Representatives | | 0.1% | 9 |
| Texas Legislative Council | | 0.4% | 50 |
| Office of Court Administration | | 0.4% | 45 |
| Attorney General | | 5.6% | 664 |
| Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) | | 0.3% | 30 |
| Comptroller of Public Accounts | | 0.1% | 6 |
| General Land Office | | 0.7% | 85 |
| State Securities Board | | 0.1% | 12 |
| Dept. of Information Resources | | 0.3% | 36 |
| Texas Workforce Commission | | 4.3% | 515 |
| Teacher Retirement System | | 0.3% | 41 |
| Employees Retirement System | | 0.6% | 66 |
| Texas Dept. of Housing and Comm. Affairs | | 0.3% | 31 |
| Texas Ethics Commission | | 0.0% | 3 |
| Office of Rural Community Affairs | 0.0% | 0 | |
| State Office of Administrative Hearings | | 0.2% | 26 |
| Health Professions Council | | 0.1% | 8 |
| Adjutant General | | 0.0% | 3 |
| Veterans Commission | | 0.6% | 72 |
| Department of Public Safety | | 6.8% | 815 |
| Commission on Law Enforcement Standards | | 0.1% | 6 |
| Office of Injured Employee Counsel | | 0.3% | 41 |
| Texas Department of Insurance | | 2.3% | 272 |
| Railroad Commission | | 0.6% | 69 |
| State Board of Public Accountancy | 0.0% | 0 | |
| Alcoholic Beverage Commission | | 0.7% | 88 |
| Board of Professional Engineers | | 0.0% | 3 |
| Public Utilities Commission | | 0.3% | 32 |
| Texas Racing Commission | | 0.0% | 3 |
| State Office of Risk Management | | 0.2% | 21 |
| Board of Nurse Examiners | | 0.2% | 22 |
| Optometry Board | 0.0% | 0 | |
| Board of Examiner of Psychologists | | 0.1% | 10 |
| Health & Human Services Commission | | 10.4% | 1,243 |
| Dept. of Family & Protective Svcs. (DFPS) | | 14.3% | 1,707 |
| Dept. of State Health Services (DSHS) | | 9.8% | 1,175 |
| Dept. of Assistive & Rehab Serv. (DARS) | | 3.6% | 425 |
| Dept of Aging & Disability Services (DADS) | | 7.5% | 893 |
| Department of Agriculture | | 0.8% | 96 |
| Texas Animal Health Commission | | 0.3% | 34 |
| Texas Agrilife Extension Service (TAMU) | 0.0% | 0 | |
| Water Development Board | | 0.4% | 46 |
| TX Comm. on Environmental Quality | | 5.2% | 615 |
| TX Dept. of Transportation | | 7.7% | 914 |
| TX Juvenile Probation Comm. | | 0.0% | 5 |
| Texas Youth Commission | | 2.0% | 238 |
| Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice | | 5.9% | 707 |
| Texas Education Agency | | 1.6% | 188 |
| School For the Blind & Visually Impaired | | 0.2% | 27 |
| School for the Deaf | | 0.3% | 40 |
| TX Higher Education Coordinating Board | | 0.3% | 33 |
| Parks & Wildlife Department | | 1.1% | 129 |
| State Preservation Board | | 0.1% | 14 |
| Commission of the Arts | | 0.0% | 4 |
| Other | | 2.7% | 317 |