HONOLULU - Former Honolulu Managing Director Robert Fishman is among a group of public employees drawing a state pension while getting a regular paycheck from the city or state.
These so-called double dippers are working part- or full-time jobs with the city and state through 89-day employment agreements while continuing to get full pensions.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday that the 89-day chunks with breaks as little as one workday can be repeated indefinitely, allowing employees to avoid a rule that requires public-sector retirees who return to work for at least three months to have their pensions suspended. More than 150 pensioners are working under such agreements with the counties or the state.
Fishman says earning $62 an hour assisting the managing director's office is more about helping and giving.
The practice allows gaining expertise of retirees while not having to pay health and other benefits.
