More State Workers Than Ever Before Retired in 2011

Over 18,000 state workers filed retirement applications in 2011, up from the more average 10,500 that typically put in the paperwork.

"It's huge," Department of Employee Trust Funds spokeswoman Shawn Smith told the Wisconsin State Journal. "All indications are that it's never been higher than this."

Retirees come from almost all segments of state employment; school districts, state agencies and local governments. While Smith points to a number of people taking retirement who could have in 2008 but didn't because of the down economy, there may be some individuals retiring because of the changes in collective bargaining laws.