Warsaw, N.Y.-based Wyoming County Community Health System is offering an early retirement program as county officials work to strengthen the facility's finances, according to The Daily News.
Under the new incentive, which was approved this week by the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors, about 30 people at the system will be eligible for early retirement.
"As healthcare changes, we require more expertise in some areas while our need for expertise in other areas decreases," WCCHS CEO Donald Eichenauer said, according to the report.
"Overall we continue to work on programs to be more efficient and reduce our workforce," he added. "As we participate in state programs to adjust our operations and staffing to meet future healthcare needs, we decided it would be a good time to offer an early retirement program."
To be eligible for the retirement program, employees must be at least 55 years old and working full-time at WCCHS as of July 31, 2015, according to The Daily News. They also need at least 30 years of service with the county, and must be eligible for retirement under the State and Local Retirement System.
Additionally, the retirement needs to be effective between July 31, 2015 and Oct. 15, 2015.
According to the report, eligible employees will receive $20,000. The amount will be divided into four $5,000 payments to be made on Nov. 30, Feb. 29, May 31 and Aug. 31.
Mr. Eichenauer expects less than one-third of those eligible to take advantage of the program.
"Some of those vacated positions would not be replaced," he said, according to the report. "Others may be replaced with individuals at less cost. New employees would be at a higher tier in the state pension system, resulting in a lower cost for WCCHS, as well as a higher health care contribution percentage and a lower salary grade."
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