The Delaware Department of Human Resources has released a retirement eligibility report to guide state agencies in recruitment and retention efforts over the next five years.

The release shows that 23% of current state employees can retire by June 30, 2027 — a number that is significantly lower than the average number of 32.5% of eligible workers who retire annually.

An examination of executive branch agencies, excluding the judicial and legislative branches, revealed that the rate of state employees retiring has remained steady over the past 16 years, including during the pandemic.

“We know that for the past several years, the state and private sector have faced hiring challenges,” said department Secretary Claire DeMatteis. “This report provides some encouraging news that the state has not seen a spike in retirements over the past several years, and it also helps guide our workforce planning efforts to recruit and retain employees, as well as continuing to make state salaries more competitive, invest in employee training and career advancement, and promote a healthy work-life balance.”

According to the report, the four largest agencies — the departments of Health and Social Services; Transportation; Correction; and Services for Children, Youth & Their Families — potentially have 30% or more of their staff eligible to retire in the next five years.

Data also shows that 12% of state employees are eligible for immediate retirement, while 23% can retire in the next five years. Meantime, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security has the lowest percentage of employees able to retire in that time, at 8%, and 28% of teachers are eligible to do so.

With several industries experiencing staffing shortages as a result of the pandemic, Gov. John Carney and members of the General Assembly have passed widespread salary increases for state workers. For fiscal year 2023, workers will receive pay raises between 3% and 9%, with employees at the lower end of the pay scale receiving the highest boosts.

Additionally, the Department of Human Resources has initiated several workforce initiatives, including hiring incentives, recruitment campaigns, flexible work schedules and a uniform onboarding process to benefit retention.

To view the report, visit dhr.delaware.gov.