Molly Janczyk: Opinion

From Molly Janczyk, January 25, 2011
Subject: RE: Dennis Leone: Upcoming STRS Board Decision: Truth and Reality

I don't think 60 for full retirement with any number of years would work.
60 with minimum of 10 yrs for a much reduced retirement or even 15 yrs for any early retirement. 60-62 for full retirement may be more agreeable as the general public cannot retire until 62 for early and 66 for full benefits edging up for younger workers through Soc Sec. That is a big sticking point with voters that teachers can retire so early in their minds when they have to work much longer. They are resistant to agree to paying taxes to support earlier ages than they can retire. They won't buy arguments that we are more exhausted than they who work in factories or labor or other areas no matter how we word it.

Whether we agree with this or not is no longer the point. I do agree that the past benefits lost are no longer an issue with saving health care and pensions on the table. Discretionary money was available for past enhancements which no longer exists and cannot be afforded at this time. I want my pension and health care preserved over 13th checks and .5% of COLA. Cuts at STRS is not going to add anywhere close to the amounts to preserve those things. BUT, appearances are everything and in such times, streamlining should be very visible to membership for good will and sharing the load. Unfortunately, we cannot change what has been done and I also agree, that working to save the system is urgent and we should all be thinking of how to contribute the safety of all of us and securing the future vs . continuing at this time to stay on the past with no solutions in mind.

Future elimination of COLA for future workers does not save much now as it is not being paid out now. However, it would help preserve future benefits. Now, is the problem for the many reasons listed and heavily due to the economic turns just as our basking in benefits was a result of the upturns of the past. Everyone has lost in this market and most pension systems in trouble. Problem , no visions as to the day when the bottom dropped out. Here are are.

Educators will probably have to pay an additional 5% contribution just as a young educator proposed to the board a few years back IF they want to preserve their future. Upping the employer contribution was really never a viable option as no acceptance ever existed for it. Leone and Lazares long ago wanted a Plan B but were told by OEA that there was no Plan B or it would seem right off that other options existed. Smart, right? That has been the problem for years.

Educators upping their contributions by 5%. Career educators receiving the bulk of benefits regarding COLA, premiums, all out of pocket expenses. A percent withdrawn from checks vs. a dollar amount to ease those with less. The argument is these folks may have additional incomes and this may not be as fair as hoped. Any under a dollar amount annually with all incomes considered, should pay less and those with a higher amount, pay more. A percent would help in this vs. a straight dollar amount - one size fits all.

Bottom line for me: Save Health care and secure pensions. Beyond that, in these times, is all gravy, realistically speaking. We're talking hundreds/thousands of our money to purchase health care or match pensions vs. $40-100 a month for COLA matching. DO I WANT COLA? OF COURSE! I JUST WANT HEALTH CARE AND MY FULL PENSION THE MOST FOR MY FINANCIAL WELL BEING.

We have to be smart about what we say and our figures must be spot on and not passed by amateur economists or pundits with no real basis except elementary figuring and opinion.

Just my opinion. Leone's positions, as always, have foundation and long term solutions are not a must for our pensions and benefits. A think tank with experts is in order. I personally, have had exceptional service from STRS Health Care Dept heads such as Greg Nichols (Dept Head: Health Care benefits )and Greg Wilson (Dept Head Pharmaceutical Benefits)-now gone for Economic reasons for his own family who gave me his number should I have problems with which he can help even being away from STRS. They have both gone beyond any expectation to help my husband manage his multiple health problems. The quality of their professionalism is beyond compare.

Point, many of us are experiencing a lot of support from STRS in many ways. We want to save pensions and health care, period. That is the place we are now facing. Let's get on with some real solutions for current and future retirees and for now, focus on that vs. small fish in our very big tank of problems. Solve the big problems and later, if applicable with an upturn of returns in a solid future should that occur, then, back to the smaller items IF discretionary money ever again is available.

Leone always has foundation for his positions and the rest of us need do the same. Real foundation.

My opinion:
Molly J.