NM Governor Targets Double-dipping Public Retirees

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson proposes to stop public employees from double-dipping by retiring and later returning to a government job while receiving a pension.

The governor said Wednesday he'll ask lawmakers to approve the measure during next year's legislative session.

A government worker can retire, wait 90 days and go back to work for the state, city or county without the loss of public pension benefits.

Richardson wants governmental retirees to wait a year before returning to work and he proposes to suspend their pensions. The restrictions target future return-to-work retirees — not the 2,000 already holding government jobs.

Richardson vetoed legislation earlier this year that would have limited retirees to earning $30,000 year in a government job while getting a pension.