Reform of Retirement Disability Program Eyed

When County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) called for reforming Montgomery's retirement disability program this week, he said he would seek changes that ensure the system is "just and proper and makes sense to county taxpayers."

A nine-month review by Leggett's advisers found that 34 percent of Montgomery County's public safety retirees collect disability benefits, compared with 25 percent in Prince George's County and 3 percent in Fairfax County.

Overhauling the program, Leggett said, would probably come through a combination of legislation, administrative changes and collective bargaining, and he said that he plans to meet soon with union leaders. Representatives of the county's powerful labor unions, however, were taken aback by the announcement Monday and seemed lukewarm to the idea.

Jane Milne, secretary for Fraternal Order of Police Local 35, said the news release issued by the county executive's office was the first the union had heard that Leggett was looking into the system.

"Despite the official-sounding name, this 'task force' is nothing more than the county executive's staff making recommendations to the county executive," Milne said. She said Leggett's team had not raised the issue during retirement negotiations that ended in November.

Leggett's advisers recommended, among other changes, restricting retirees from filing for disability after they retire in most circumstances and refining the broad definition of "disabled" to include either fully or partially disabled, each with different levels of benefits.

Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, who was represented in Leggett's review, said in a statement: "We need to take good care of those who have suffered disabling injuries in the line of duty. A good disability retirement system fairly compensates those who deserve it, and protects from any abuse by those who don't."

The suggestions from Leggett's advisers come as the office of Inspector General Thomas Dagley is preparing to release a critical assessment of the system next month.

Council members Phil Andrews (D-Gaithersburg-Rockville) and Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large), who were briefed on the inspector general's initial findings, said they, too, are concerned about oversight and management of the program and intend to work on tightening the system for determining eligibility.

Andrews said Leggett and the council should act swiftly through legislation or regulation, rather than try to improve the system through union negotiations that he said could delay changes for years.

In the last budget year, about $35 million of the $147 million the county paid in retirement benefits went to disability payments.

County Toasts Its Luck In Wine Futures Market

Oenophiles, raise your glasses. Amid news of disability retirement benefits and Triple A bond ratings, county officials issued a statement this week announcing that the government has gotten its hands on some 2005 vintage Bordeaux wines.