RH Jones: Concerning STRS Ex Dir Michael Nehf's statement at last STRS meeting

From RH Jones, August 20, 2010

To all:

I respectfully submit that in the STRS Director Michael Nehf's statement after Nancy Hamant's speech at the last STRS board meeting, he may have inadvertently left out the fact that the change in the COLA disproportionately affects retirees. Since the active members are still working, they can decide to work on into the future; retirees cannot. Therefore, retirees have no way to adjust their income to inflation. As shown in Nancy Hamant's statement, she has proven, most certainly, that retirees are indeed disproportionately affected.

For one, due to enduring more ailments, we pay more out for HC/Rx. It is plain to see these facts; for without the past ad hoc increases, the very fairly distributed Supplemental Check (13th check), timely delivered at the end of the year, and our simple 3% COLA, many professionally retired educators would be in line for Medicaid -- and all the other public low income programs. It is not envy on our part to think that actives can weather inflation better than those retired; but, a necessary truth: a sustainable retiree income is an ally in the fight to keep high quality public education in Ohio. It is, therefore, critical that STRS officials do not turn back the clock on retired members. All professional teachers will have to retire some day. Cutting retirees now will set a precedent for future educators who contemplate retirement. How safe will it be for them if uncontrollable "take-backs" go into effect? If recent history is any indication, they cannot depend on the 2 STRS retiree Reps, the OEA, or the ORTA, to stand up and say no to COLA and to HC/Rx cuts. One wonders where is our representation?

RHJones, retired STRS teacher member