The Sun's Jan. 21 editorial titled "Patrick ignores the pension crisis" misses the mark. It is filled with misinformation, inaccuracies and lacks a true depiction of the pension system in Massachusetts.
It is important to first note that the governor and legislature have enacted numerous reforms to our pension system to protect taxpayers; eliminated so-called "double-dipping"; increased the retirement age; reformed the pension calculation formula from being the highest three years of earnings to being the highest five years of earnings; stopped pension "spiking" before a worker's retirement; and rid the system of abuse.
The editorial glaringly neglects the facts of the current system -- today's workers are essentially funding their retirement.
The pensions earned over years of public and civic service are based on an actuarial formula of salary, years worked and earnings. Most retired education professionals do not qualify for full social benefits despite having earned it. Any survival benefits are also reduced due to the Government Pension Offset/Windfall Elimination Provision. And the unfunded liabilities on the part of cities and towns are a result of money that was never set aside to fund the municipal portion of the retirement. Cities and towns often deferred their payments to the pension fund when money is needed elsewhere.
To simply throw numbers around and paint everyone with a broad brush does a disservice to teachers, firefighters, police officers, and all others who care for our most vulnerable.
Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts, Marlboro