Editorial: Lawmakers ready to make pension crisis even worse

Sacramento Bee ^ | March 17, 2026 | The Editorial Board, The Orange County Register

[artichokegrower]

In the late 1990s, California's pension systems were flush with cash as the stock market boomed. Instead of charting a sustainable path forward, lawmakers - on a bipartisan basis - caved to the demands of the state's public-safety unions and dramatically increased pensions for California Highway Patrol officers. They retroactively granted the "3% at 50" retirement formula, which allowed officers to retire with 90% of their final year's pay as early as age 50. It amounted to a 50% increase for many officers. As planned, firefighters and other safety employees then secured the same benefit. Non-safety employees also used Senate Bill 400's increase to negotiate major hikes. It spread across the state.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society
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[artichokegrower]

The next measure, Assembly Bill 1054, is even more irresponsible. It would create a so-called Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) for law enforcement and firefighters that would allow them to receive a massive payout at retirement in addition to their already generous pensions.

Examples of DROP

Michel R Moore DEPUTY CHIEF Note: Pension includes one-time DROP payout of: $1,265,230.86 Pension: $1,483,028.77 Benefits: $22,521.57 Disability: $0.00 Total pension & benefits amount: $1,505,550.34

[Leaning Right]

I’m guessing these folks will be expecting a federal bailout the next time there’s a Democrat president. Unfortunately, that’s not an unreasonable hope.

🙁