HRM councillor must fund own plan
Coun. David Hendsbee’s quest to reclaim nearly two decades worth of lost pension benefits took a turn for the worst at Tuesday’s regular Halifax regional council meeting.
“No way, no how, not on my watch,” said
Coun. Lisa Blackburn in reaction to Hendsbee’s attempt to claim money from the municipality’s pension plan that he opted out of 17 years ago, when he was first elected to council.
Councillors struck down Hendsbee’s motion requesting a staff report investigating that option, and the possibility that the municipality would cost-share in his plan to buy back pensionable time.
Several councillors voiced their opposition to the motion, saying taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for Hendsbee’s poor financial planning. Others such as Coun. Shawn Cleary said Hendsbee’s issues should be taken up with staff directly.
Deputy Mayor Steve Craig, who voted against Hendsbee’s motion, stated that his colleague is in a position not unlike many other Nova Scotians who, for whatever reason, find themselves without a pension.
“We ask questions, we ask for reports and people have the responsibility for their own wellbeing,” said Craig.
Hendsbee said he was informed it would cost roughly $30,000 to buy back one year of service. He had hoped the municipality would help contribute.
He said that he was never properly informed of the benefits of joining the municipality’s plan. Hendsbee, who opted into the plan last year, argued that he should be compensated with a fair contribution that would adequately represent money the municipality would have paid into his pension plan.
He also said the report could be used as an educational tool for future councillors.
Hendsbee did have a few supporters around the table, including Coun. Bill Karsten.
“I’m going to stick up for my buddy,” said Karsten. “This is being portrayed as so far off of left field that it’s ridiculous. He’d like to go back in time and have the municipality co-pay the share that wasn’t there over the years.”
Appearing exhausted, Hendsbee admitted he had only two regrets in his political career: Not enrolling in the pension plan at his first opportunity and having to table Tuesday’s motion.