Early retirement incentives : yes or no?

Abstract: The Monterey Regional Waste Management District of Marina, California, had a budget shortfall. They offered a voluntary early retirement incentive program to employees age 55 and older with five continuous years of service who resigned by a certain date. The qualified employees had the option of $40 per month for health insurance reimbursement per year of service or one month severance per year of service (capped at 15 years), plus $20 a month for health insurance.