Retirement System Board Shouldn't Pay Double Dipper's Insurance

Canton Repository, July 24, 2006

By Michael E. Hanke, General Manager

When an educator in Ohio retires, then is hired for another job in Ohio education — a practice commonly called double dipping — the State Teachers Retirement System many times ends up paying for the health insurance of the dipper. School districts like this because it takes some of the strain off tight budgets.

Maybe it can be argued that the retired teacher has that coming. Certainly, school districts might argue that because it reduces their health-care costs. But what it also does is help encourage school systems to hire double dippers, passing over new teachers and administrative talent, driving many of those young people to different states.

The State Teachers Retirement System board has the authority to change this, but since some of the board is comprised of active teachers who more or less are near retirement, you can see how they might not want to change. Too bad.