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Division of Personnel reports shrinkage and retirements; health insurance premiums rise 4%
Summary
The Division of Personnel told senators the central government employee population dropped to 5,827, with notable numbers eligible for retirement; the government implemented a 4% group health insurance rate increase effective Oct. 1, 2024.
Officials from the Division of Personnel briefed the Senate Committee on Budget on Feb. 18 about workforce levels, hiring activity and benefits cost trends.
Director Cindy Richardson said the central government workforce counted 5,827 employees as of the report date — 2,967 in St. Thomas & John and 2,860 in St. Croix — down from 6,724 reported in early 2023. Richardson said the numbers are fluid because of separations, retirements and rehires; the division recorded 208 hires in FY25 to date and 79 separations during the same period.
The division reported that roughly 350 employees had 30-plus years of service and an additional roughly 309 had 28–30 years, indicating a significant near-term retirement pool. Richardson said the division is pursuing recruitment campaigns, a learning-management procurement, succession planning and a recruitment initiative to fill critical roles.
On health benefits, the government implemented a 4% rate increase on Oct. 1, 2024 affecting employer and employee premium shares. Officials said total medical, dental, vision and life insurance costs rose from $206.2 million in FY24 to $226.1 million in FY25, a $19.9 million or 9.7% increase; employer share accounted for about $45.3 million of $62.0 million paid in premiums from October–December 2024.
Richardson also briefed the committee on the GVI Fellows program, which the division now administers, and an ongoing catalog of collective bargaining agreements the Office of Collective Bargaining is negotiating; the OCB reported 12 current CBAs and additional negotiations underway.
Senators asked for further workforce analysis and succession plans; Richardson said the division is developing recruitment campaigns, a learning-management system and other personnel tools to address expected retirements and staffing needs.
