More than 2,100 Alabama public employees will retire Dec.1 to avoid paying more for health insurance as retirees.

The number includes 1,660 education employees.

Gov. Robert Bentley says a system has been worked out for them to suspend their retirement benefits and work through the end of school on temporary contracts, if they wish.

A new state law requires public employees retiring after Dec. 1 to pay more for their health insurance if they have served 25 years or longer, but aren’t yet 65 years old and eligible for Medicare.