RH Jones re: ORSC recommendations for rollbacks (and guess who's in line for direct hits? Yep... the RETIREES!)

From RH Jones, June 22, 2009
Subject: Attempt now to exclude our STRS death benefit

To all active and retired educators:

Please see the attachment below. You will notice that in this part of the STRS Exec. Dir. Mike Nehf's report he mentions the (ORSC) Ohio Retired Service Commission's list of "rollback" recommendations. Three items in particular are of concern:

1) "changing the benefit formula".
2) "eliminating the lump-sum death benefit"
3) "looking at delaying or eliminating the cost-of-living adjustment"

For one: What would be your guess as to what Mr. Nehf means by "changing the benefit formula". If he means for us retired educators, it has never before been done downward. It would set a precedent for all members including present and future educators, as well as retired members.

We retired educators are protected by the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights concerning grandfathering. These 3 items are grandfathered. Hopefully, all officials involved in attempting to withdraw, or to lower retired educator benefits, will think again -- any negative publicity would be enormous, as well any court awards. For the perpetrators of this folly, think of the shame that such scenarios as these elderly "take always" would look like in the media.

These 3 items should not, and cannot, be a solution to restoring the Ohio STRS 30 year financial goal. Other sources must be found! The STRS has had enough bad publicity since the 2000 "tanking". Any more, and all of us STRS members, and employees, will be severely hurt -- retired educators the most. And, we are those who can least afford it.

This is my opinion,

RHJones, a retired STRS teacher member
Click image to enlarge.