Why Join P.A.C.E. - Atlanta?

1. To see that the General Employees Pension Fund benefits be modernized and updated. Consider this simple side by side comparison:

   - Our Current Pension Plan -	- Our Proposed Pension Plan -
   Pays 2% of salary for each year of service.	Pays 3% of salary for each year of service.
   10 yrs. of service to fully vest in plan - and -	Retire without penalty when age + years of service equals 75 (referred to as the "rule of 75").
   You must be 60 years old to retire with no penalty.	"Rule of 75" applies.
   Example: An employee, 55 years old, with an average annual salary of $40,000 at retirement and 20 years of service would receive $11,200 per year retirement benefit. (40% benefit minus 30% age penalty).	Example: The same employee under the same conditions would receive a retirement benefit of $24,000 per year. (60% benefit and no age penalty).

   Bottom line - in the example shown above - $12,800 more each year of retirement!

   
   For more detailed information on this topic please go to the General Employees Pension Fund page.
   
   Still not convinced? Here is a comparison of our % multiplier contrasted to several other Cities and some Metro area counties. As you see, we are dead last in this comparison.
   
        

     

   * Orlando - 3% per year for 20 years, then 4% per year 21-25 (80% cap)
   
   Now, let's take a look at what we pay in to our pension fund as a percent payroll deduction and compare it to some of those same Cities and Counties.
        

        

   
   In this comparison we come out first! We pay 14 times more than what Dekalb Co. employees do. In other words, we pay the highest percent in and get the least for it!

2. To push for a full, credible, independent audit of our pension fund so we can be assured that it is financially sound.

3. Work for regular across the board cost-of-living salary increases. (For more information on this topic, please see the NEW "Our Salaries vs. Inflation" page.)

4. Call for an accurate pay and classification study that brings pay in line with current standards.

5. Insure that all our other benefits are comparable to those of similar sized city governments and our neighbors in the Atlanta metro area.

6. Provide legal protection from unjust job actions against P.A.C.E. members.

7. See that fairness, professionalism and equitable treatment are promoted in the work place.

8. Receive other member benefits such as free or discounted personal legal services.

9. Become a part of N.A.G.E., a national organization with our best interests at heart. N.A.G.E. will be watching out for us not only locally but also at our national and state legislatures. We will also be able to draw upon N.A.G.E.'s considerable resources to help support us as we try to achieve our goals.

10. Stop being the "invisible work force" that is basically just taken for granted and gain some control. Have a voice in your future.
    

    

Now, in the spirit of fairness, here are 10 reasons why maybe you should not join P.A.C.E.

1. You're perfectly happy with your current salary.

2. You can wait until you're 60 or older to retire (with no age penalty).

3. You won't mind working another job after you retire.

4. You think the last pay and classification study was fair and accurate.

5. You don't mind paying more for your benefits and getting less than other metro area governments.

6. You think that somewhere there is someone looking out for you.

7. You think it is OK for some employees to get more benefits while you get nothing.

8. You think the General Employees Pension Fund is in good shape and you'll always get a pension check after you retire.

9. You don't mind being in an unclassified position and the fact that you can be dismissed in the blink of an eye on somebody's whim.

10. You like being treated unfairly, being ignored, and taken for granted.

Why Join P.A.C.E. - Atlanta?

For your present and future financial security - that's why!