Often, citizens view contract employees, and especially contracted retired employees, as abusers of the system. But in economically challenging times, this isn’t always the case.

In certainly situations, it can save the local government huge sums of money. In this case, former Police Chief Aaron Baker retired two years ago, but has continued working in the same position – half time – since. It’s a move that saves Pittsburg tens of thousands of dollars.

From the Contra Costa Times:

Cities and fire agencies are increasingly employing top officials and other workers who have retired, saving money on salaries, pensions and benefits.

The workers already are drawing pension benefits through the state retirement system, allowing the agencies to hire them as contractors.


The savings are particularly beneficial to communities such as those in East Contra Costa that have been hit hard by the recession and a resulting decline in property and sales tax revenue.

Read the full article here.