Bob Buerkle: Dump Stein and Walters

From Bob Buerkle

April 29, 2021

In their own words, as stated in the Board Election materials, both Bob Stein and Rita Walters want credit for the current strength of the STRS Health Care System.

In 2020 the STRS outside Actuary, Cheiron, told the Board they "Did all the right things" and with very limited resources to rescue the HC plan. So how did this happen, going from predicted failure to a plan good for at least 60-years? Here's how, and the answer should result in both of them losing their elected Board Seats!

When STRS changed the retirement rules to a minimum of 35 years and age 60, this change assured STRS that instead of needing to provide 12-14 years of healthcare they would only need to provide 5 years before Medicare would kick-in and pay for most, if not all of their healthcare needs. By making teachers work 5-9 years longer due to the age 60 requirement, STRS was able to transfer the health-care costs onto the backs of the employers for those 5-9 years.

Do you think Stein and Walters should be rewarded for what they have done to our pension plan? I don't either.

Many teachers have complained that they have not had raises for years. Now you know one of the reasons why!

Vote for Rudy Fichtenbaum, Elizabeth Jones for STRS Retiree Board Seats.