Three workers who took the early retirement incentive

Alice Peltz, 60, of Northport

JOB: Public health sanitarian for the Suffolk County Department of Health

YEARS OF SERVICE: 37

WHY SHE WANTS TO RETIRE NOW: The incentive will add three extra years to her service history, maximizing her pension benefits from the system. "It's like a kind of severance pay, so I would get a little extra," said Peltz, also a Suffolk employees' union official.

Chuck Albers, 57, of Franklin Square

JOB: Fire communications supervisor, Nassau County Fire and Rescue Services.

YEARS OF SERVICE: 28.5

WHY HE RETIRED NOW: The extra pension credits were enough to help him reach his 30-year service milestone, which will allow him a greater pension benefit. Even though leaving now means missing out on a raise that would boosted his pension further, he decided his time off was more valuable. "Why not enjoy my life now? I'm enjoying today."

Karen Dwyer, 55, of Hicksville

JOB TITLE: Nassau police service aide

YEARS OF SERVICE: 24

WHY SHE RETIRED NOW: Dwyer decided to seize the moment and take the extra pension credits because she has other things she wants to do with her life - among them volunteering at the Hicksville Fire Department and preparing for the wedding of her daughter. Also, her husband is looking to retire this month. "We might as well do things together," she said. "If you can afford to retire, the sooner the better, as far as I'm concerned."