Babauta retires from govt service

Gov. Juan N. Babauta tendered his retirement from government service last month.

As an elected official, though, the governor remains in office until the new administration comes in on Jan. 9.

Based on the NMI Retirement Fund’s list, Babauta is among the 179 government retirees in 2005.

Although he is not qualified for the 30 percent early retirement bonus since his service exceeds 20 years, Babauta is still believed to be getting quite an attractive retirement package due to his earned credits.

As an elected official, Babauta has accumulated 20 years of service. He served four years as senator, 12 years as Washington Representative, and four years as governor.

Prior to entering politics, Babauta worked for seven years as executive director of the Commonwealth Health Planning and Development Agency.

The governor’s higher education studies would also be credited.

Babauta finished a bachelor’s degree in American History from Eastern New Mexico University and two master’s degrees—a Master of Arts degree in Political Science/American History from Eastern New Mexico University and a Master of Science degree in Health Planning/Administration from the University of Cincinnati.

Overall, the governor has at least 35 years in earned retirement credits.

Meantime, other elected officials who retired from government in 2005 are Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano and Reps. Jesus T. Attao and Norman S. Palacios.

Other retirees include Public Health Secretary Dr. James U. Hofschneider, Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos, former Northern Marianas College president Joaquin Sablan, former NMC interim president and NMI Museum curator Barbara Moir, governor senior policy advisor Robert Schwalbach, governor’s special assistant for administration Thomas Tebuteb, Personnel Management director Juan I. Tenorio, and Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Carlos Salas.

Fund administrator Karl T. Reyes earlier said that the new batch of 179 new government employees would translate to nearly $4 million in additional pension obligations for the government.

He said this batch of retirees would be “expensive” since many of them are claiming their 30 percent early retirement bonus. This incentive is given to retirees who have worked in the government for 20 years.

Reyes said that, if the retirees receive an average of $21,000 a year pension, it would mean $3.7 million in new obligation or $156,625 in additional pension every 15 days.

Currently, the Fund gives out $2.3 million in pension every pay period or $4.6 million a month for 2,000 employees.

Beginning this year, the government would be giving nearly $60 million a year for retirees annually.