RH Jones: Impossible situation at our OH STRS?

From RH Jones, April 6, 2009
Subject: Impossible situation at our OH STRS?

To all:

Without an STRS board actively following the Revised Code 3307.15, there will always be an incentive by STRS employees to exploit the system. And, until we can get an ORC that mandates that their retirement contribution to go into our STRS rather than their OPERS. And, since Ohio's politicians pay into their OPERS as well, there is no chance of such a law ever passing. They have already said that the STRS is only for educators; and, therefore, STRS employees cannot belong.

Personally, I, as a retired STRS member, would welcome them to our STRS. However, we can conclude that: Their pay is so good that they will never be taken out of OPERS -- and they know it. Except.......as our OH STRS board and employees get away with so much that it brings bad publicity in the various news media, they are putting themselves and us members at risk of mandatory Social Security. On the national level there are many who would love to get all Americans under Social Security and to do away with all state retirement systems. All of us in STRS and OPERS will then lose.

RH Jones