San Diego Mayor Sanders to discuss pension and retiree health benefit reform Feb. 13

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders will discuss his city’s pension reform efforts, his plan to address soaring retiree health care expenses and the city’s economic future at a Newsmaker press conference Monday, February 13, at 10:00 a.m. at the National Press Club.

Governors and mayors nationwide facing budget deficits are focusing on the costs of public employee pensions and retiree healthcare benefits. In San Diego, an initiative has qualified for the June ballot that would, among other things, end guaranteed pensions for all new city employees, excluding police officers, and replace them with a 401(k)-style plan.

Sanders, who played a key role in crafting the controversial initiative as a private citizen, says it will save at least $1.2 billion over the next three decades. Sanders expects San Diego to be next big battle over public employee benefits.