RHJones comments on: That "Miserable 1%" is still that Miserable 1%

RH Jones to John Curry, January 20, 2011

John,

Up until retired teachers were hurt by the 2000 OH STRS decision to act on cutting our HC/Rx, the employer contribution to the HC/Rx fund was 4%. That was still below the 5.5% that OPERS was receiving from the employer contribution. Our OEA-R and ORTA went along with the cut. We in CORE strongly objected.

At the time, If more active/retired teachers would have listened to CORE we would all be better off. Actives getting the 88.5%/35 and retiring at a much greater final average than us can afford their own HC/ Rx for a while; however, in a few years "down the retirement road", they will need the STRS HC/Rx as we do now.

The Beacon mentioned today, 01/20/2011, even a hamburger at Mc Donald's is going to cost more. McDonald's is having higher costs, just like us retired teachers. This is because of the rising demand for petroleum, food and especially gold worldwide and at home. Gold is used in most all computerized gadgets.

Yes, we do need the miserable 1% left alone. The states that are cutting it are facing expensive lawsuits. Our 3% COLA was legislated into law.

By the way, the NEA is closing ranks to fight the nationwide untrue campaign against public employees and out retirement systems. NEA needs to know how some of the highly paid OEA executives have manipulated the OH STRS for their own personal gain -- mostly at our STRS retired teacher expense.

RHJones, a CORE member