N.J. teacher retirement applications more than double amid budget cuts

More than 5,400 teachers have filed retirement papers this month

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.ED MURRAY/THE STAR-LEDGERKevin Stinson, a high school social studies teacher in Leonia during the protest in Trenton against Chris Christie on May 22, 2010. State figures show a spike in teacher retirement applications this year.

TRENTON -- More than 5,400 New Jersey teachers have filed applications to retire so far this month, already more than double the amount of applications filed in July 2009, according to a report on MyCentralJersey.com.

July is typically the busiest month for teacher retirement applications after schools let out for the summer with an average of 2,701 filings over the last three years, the report said, citing figures from the state Treasury's Division of Pension and Benefits.

This July, however, 5,444 teachers have filed for retirement, bringing the total for the year to 6,840 applications, the MyCentralJersey.com report said. The total retirement applications in 2009 was 3,671, the report said.

The spike in teacher retirements comes amid a budget battle waged by Gov. Chris Christie to cut state aid to schools by $820 million, while calling for teachers and the NJEA union to accept wage freezes.

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