Tom Curtis: Some questions for Representative Snitchler

From Tom Curtis, August 27, 2010
Subject: 082710 Rep Todd Snitchler, Re Questions From A STRS Retiree

The response about the COLA in this letter is not nearly as positive as he sounded on the phone. They always play it safe, don't they?

From: Evans, Michael
To: Thomas Curtis
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 4:40 PM
Subject: RE: Questions From A STRS Retiree

Mr. Curtis:

I apologize for your not having received this message previously. Rep. Snitchler and I discussed this last week, and somehow the message did not go through when I sent it back. Rep. Snitchler called and informed me of your conversation with him today, so I would like to follow up by resending this message to you. Please contact me at the number below if you have any question.

Dear Mr. Curtis:

Thank you for contacting the office of Representative Todd Snitchler in regards to the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio. As his Legislative Aide, Rep. Snitchler asked that I respond on his behalf. First and foremost, as a retiree of STRS, Rep. Snitchler believes firmly that rules should not change regarding your pension. That said, Rep. Snitchler recognizes the concerns that you have brought forward in your e-mail and has spoken with many constituents who have had similar concerns. Pertaining to your first question, Rep. Snitchler will evaluate based on merits any proposals set forth for the solvency of the state budget and current state pension plans. This would include the Defined Benefit plan. In regards to your question about the Cost of Living Allowance, Rep. Snitchler said he would need to first look at the long-term financial health of the current system before supporting a simple 3% COLA. Lastly, Rep. Snitchler shares the concerns you have mentioned in question 3. The final report has not yet been issued and legislation has yet to be introduced in the House of Representatives. Therefore, he will certainly take all of your comments into consideration when the final language is introduced, which would presumably be by the end of the year. Thank you again for contacting the office of Rep. Todd Snitchler. Please do not hesitate to contact me at the number below if you would like to discuss this matter further.

Best Regards,
Michael J. Evans
Legislative Aide
Ohio House of Representatives
Phone: (614) 644-6023
Fax: (614) 719-3589

From: Thomas Curtis
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 12:31 AM
To: District 50
Subject: Questions From A STRS Retiree

Rep. Todd Snitchler,

My name is Thomas Curtis. I am a STRS retiree. I would greatly appreciate your written response to the following 3 questions. Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond.

Thomas Curtis
N. Canton, OH

1. The Defined Benefit Pension Plan has been proven to be the most cost effective retirement plan for both the State and its retirees (www.nirsonline.org, “More Bang for the Buck”). The STRS Defined Plan is really deferred compensation earned as part of an educator’s salary during his/her career. Will you support the continuation of the Defined Benefit plan in any legislation to “fix” public pensions?

2. The Ohio Revised Code, Section 3307.67 guarantees the payment of a simple 3 % Cost of Living Allowance, COLA, for current STRS retirees. In view of this fact, most other states have grandfathered current retirees from the financial harm of COLA reductions. Will you support the COLA promise by grandfathering current retirees’ 3 % COLA? (States that have not kept the COLA promise are now in litigation).

3. All the financial changes by STRS to date have been directed at the current retirees and these changes happened almost over night. Would you support the phasing out of the current enhanced STRS pension for 35 years of service (the 88% rule) in 2012 and not 2015 as the STRS plan calls for? This would save money and make changes far more fair for current retirees with much lower pensions and already reduced benefits. A higher percentage of the STRS proposed plan is aimed at current retirees who don’t have time to plan for such changes in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Time is not on their side.