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08-23-2006, 03:50 PM
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#1
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gone traveling
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,146
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Wow! Wild! OOfah
Today in Trenton NJ state senate hearings
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Lawmakers told public pension benefits protected by law
Pension benefits for public employees who have been on the job five years or longer cannot be reduced without violating the constitution, a lawyer in the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services told lawmakers today.
“Benefits are protected for employees with five years or more of service and also retired employees,” OLS attorney Peter Kelly told a legislative committee exploring ways of cutting property taxes by reforming pension and health benefits.
Kelly said a law passed in 1997 gave public employees with five years of service “a non-forfeitable right” to their pensions that can be lost only by dishonorable service.
That law created a contractual obligation on the part of the state that is protect by both the state and federal constitutions, Kelly said. He explained that even if the current legislature repealed the 1997 law, that “would not extinguish the rights” of public employees, who “have expectations protected by the law of contracts.”
The legal opinion by the Legislature’s research arm was welcomed by public employee union leaders.
Robert Pursell, area director of the Communications Workers of America, called Kelly’s opinion “a pleasant surprise” and “a reaffirmation of our faith in the independence of OLS.” While the opinion confirmed the CWA’s long-held position, Pursell said, “You always have to worry about how existing laws are going to be interpreted.”
Carla Katz, president of CWA Local 1034, said, “We’re not the cause of the property tax problem and they’re not going to be able to solve it on the backs of public employees. This hearing today went a long way to making that even more clear.”
I am still glad I made my decision to pack it in Jan 1. SWEET!
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08-27-2006, 07:23 AM
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#2
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 4,337
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Public pensions (Federal, state and municipal) will be the next big retirement scandal. Government at all levels have been very free with retirement plans to buy labor peace and electoral loyalty. Many of these plans will eventually crush the governments that set them up. This is particularly true in the Northeast where strong, aggressive unions have been the most successful.
When retiring, the future retirement benefits of the local workers should be considered. They will ultimately drive local taxes and available services. The private sector has a way to eventually get out of unsustainable pensions (bankruptcy) but governments don't.
__________________
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane -- Marcus Aurelius
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08-27-2006, 08:43 AM
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#3
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gone traveling
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,146
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2B
Public pensions (Federal, state and municipal) will be the next big retirement scandal. Government at all levels have been very free with retirement plans to buy labor peace and electoral loyalty. Many of these plans will eventually crush the governments that set them up. This is particularly true in the Northeast where strong, aggressive unions have been the most successful.
When retiring, the future retirement benefits of the local workers should be considered. They will ultimately drive local taxes and available services. The private sector has a way to eventually get out of unsustainable pensions (bankruptcy) but governments don't.
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Interesting points however the average pension for a public worker in NJ is only 18,000K a year.
My pension is only 33K a year sure there is a COLA but its set at 60%. Nothing that large. Seems to me that the pension system in NJ was full until a gov named Whitman did not make payments to the fund and surpize it becomes underfunded.
I never had that choice I ALWAYS HAD TO PAY MY 5% a year into the system with no options, I HAD TO JOIN!
So screw em they the government must pay.
If they want to change the rules FINE the new people must have the rules changed for them, we played by the rules for almost 30 years.
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08-27-2006, 09:24 AM
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#4
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 4,337
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Quote:
Originally Posted by newguy888
So screw em they the government must pay.
If they want to change the rules FINE the new people must have the rules changed for them, we played by the rules for almost 30 years.
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My intention was not to stir anyone up but it looks like I did.* Please take the comments as a reflection on the condition.* You say your COLA'd pension is only $33K but that overwhelms the pensions of the vast majority of the people expected to pay the taxes to fund your pension.* Even the $18K average would look pretty good to most of them.
There is no government without the taxpayers -- the taxpayers will pay.* At a certain point the taxpaying public and businesses will vote with their feet.* Does the population shift from the NE to the west and south have anything to do with taxes and cost of living?*
The people at Delta and GM have played by the rules too.* We know one group won't get what they were "promised."* I suspect it's only a matter of time until the other group gets the green weenie.
The purpose of my original post was to say that future retirement cost of living will include the taxes required to pay for their retirees.* Despite your feelings of your pension's insignificance, these government pensions are a growing cost on their "balance sheets."* It will grow as a political issue.
__________________
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane -- Marcus Aurelius
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08-27-2006, 09:55 AM
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#5
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,375
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
It would be pretty crass of NJ taxpayers to cut newguy's pension after the taxpayers benefited by his years of work. Even those taxpayers who didn't have children in the public schools benefited by the education received by other peoples' kids. Attitudes like these make me nervous about my son--he ahs to put 11% of his paycheck into his teacher's pension and it's matched by only 2 or 3% from his school district. It would be even worse to deny him the equivalent of his own 401k in the future!
On the other hand, I feel a tad bit resentful about being taxed to shore up pensions of corporate workers. I have no pension--my company gave us stock options instead. Nobody's making up for my losses when our stock price plummeted and I lost over half my retirement. The corporate workers should seek redress from their grossly overpaid executives.
__________________
You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need.
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08-27-2006, 10:13 AM
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#6
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 23,036
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Much of the problem is a failure to properly fund the pensions NOW. Actuaries can figure out pretty accurately how much needs to be funded into the system to cover future benefits. Yet, year after year, state government fails to make the required contributions. The taxpayers of TODAY are not paying enough to fully fund public employee pensions, and they are just pushing the problem off to their children.
In Connecticut, teachers are not covered by social security. They pay 7% of their pay into the state teachers retirement system. If the state retirement system breaks down because it has been chronically underfunded, they will have no other source of retirement income (unless they have been heeding the advice on this board). Many of the people teaching our children could have and would have obtained a higher paying position in private industry. Part of what kept them in the schools was the promise of a pension.
It seems to me that if future taxpayers have a problem paying teacher pensions, they can and should blame their own parents, not the retirees.
__________________
Living an analog life in the Digital Age.
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08-27-2006, 10:19 AM
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#7
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Dryer sheet aficionado
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 42
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
I think it is criminal that a mega-corp can declare bankruptcy and walk away from their pension obligations so the mega-corp can return to “profitability” after years of bad management. The executives and banks will make billions while pensioners lose and the tax payer picks up the tab. And our legislators rolled over and let the mega-corps do this in return for a few dollars in their campaign chests. In many cases the unions of these corps gave up wages on the promise of secure pensions. What a mistake that was. Same for a goverment pension. If the promise was made then it should be honored.
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08-27-2006, 10:50 AM
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#8
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 4,337
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
This post has some interesting turns. I'm hearing "woulda and shoulda" but the problem remains political for pensions. It's great to give the workers better pensions but its even better to neglect to fund them so the money can fund pork to buy other votes. Most public pensions I've stumbled across are to be funded by "future tax revenues" either by design or as the result of severe underfunding. As the boomers retire out of government, the pension demands will swell. It's great to say that the "promises" to the workers have to be honored but the future taxpayers will have a voice in what happens when they elect their government.
Private pension defaults seem to be heavily concentrated in "big" industries that bought labor peace with unsustainable pay and benefits. Steel died a horrible death. Airlines were run like regulated utilities for decades which allowed a swelling of the pay and pensions for the workers. Auto companies were similar but the regulation was based on financial ability for other nations to compete until the 1970's. Automotive hourly pay and benefits for assembly line workers are substantially out of line with other comparable positions. The only question is how long will the UAW allow Ford and GM to survive.
The shock to many when their pensions are taken over by the federal "pension insurance" is the cap placed on the pension amounts. Also, niceties like heath coverage go away.
__________________
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane -- Marcus Aurelius
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08-27-2006, 11:32 AM
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#9
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 17,237
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Newguy.. I told you I thought you would be safe no matter what they wanted to do...
My thoughts on the other... yes, public pension are 'to high' in some ways... I was talking to my friend who works for the city... he will get 2.2% per year of his highest 3 years salary... so, if he gets a big raise at the end of his career it acts as if this was his salary his whole career... seems strange...
AND, he said they had a plan 'A'.. I think it was that.. where the employee could put in a little more money and get 3.X... I do not remember what it was... but that has now been taken away from new employees...
AND, he said that management (don't know what level, but at least director) gets TWO years credit for each year of work!!! What is up with THAT
Finally, and this is from memory so it could be off a bit.. and it happened a number of years ago... the mayor decided to give the police chief a 'raise' just before he retired... he got ONE, yes ONE check at this higher rate... and his pension went up by many 10s of thousands of dollars a year.. the city counsel repealed his raise as quickly as possible, but it was too late.. he had gotten that ONE check and he now quailified for the higher amount...
THESE are the things that need to be fixed.. the abuse... the retire at 55 yo with 'full benefit'.. the last few years being the base... the COLA also if you will... maybe it will require higher wages, but I doubt it... but if it does, then at least we KNOW how much gvmt is costing us NOW... and we can adjust..
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08-27-2006, 12:10 PM
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#10
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 228
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
What abuse? If I sign a contract with a government or company, and they tell me that in lieu of wage increases, I am going to receive a nice pension, started at age 55, cola'd, etc., then that is the agreement. If the government or company mismanages the money I invest in my pension for 30 years and reneges on their contract, they are criminals. If they blame me for their problems and turn the customer base/taxpayers against me to divert attention from their own incompetence, they are asshole criminals.
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08-27-2006, 01:05 PM
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#11
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 13,183
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tawny Dangle
If they blame me for their problems and turn the customer base/taxpayers against me to divert attention from their own incompetence, they are asshole criminals.
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While that may be true, the fact still remains that if pension and retiree health care obligations from the past drag the company into bankruptcy today, you are up the proverbial creek.
Only legislation that mandates current period full funding of pension obligations and retiree health benefits can solve the problem going forward.
If you're still working (everyone, not just Tawny Dangle) and counting on a pension or retiree health benefits, do you understand the state of funding for your pension and benefits?* Is the money there or is the plan counting on future taxes or company profits?* *
__________________
"I wasn't born blue blood. I was born blue-collar." John Wort Hannam
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08-27-2006, 01:50 PM
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#12
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 228
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
The money is supposed to be there, but who knows if it really is, or will be in five years? I guess if you are saying that states or corporations might find ways to get out of paying their obligations to retirees, that is always possible. It is not the retiree's fault if the state or corporation decide to use the pension money for pork or padding CEO's benefit packages. The cause of these defaults is fraud on the part of the company or state government, not the "greedy" desire of the worker to collect his or her pension.
I'm going to bet my pension will be there in 5 years. I am going to collect it and not lose one night of sleep over it, nor will I feel one iota of shame for taking it. If the state defaults, I have other means to live on. Other workers will simply get the shaft. It's a disgrace.
Every state government in the country and every major corporation knew well ahead of time that the baby boomer generation would retire in time. Why didn't they prepare for this event? I can only guess that part of their plan was to allow the pension plans to be overwhelmed and go into default. In the meantime, the pension funds served as a giant slush fund to be plundered over and over again. Blaming state workers for the taxpayers' woes simply deflects attention from mismanagement and graft in government. Same for corporations.
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08-27-2006, 03:22 PM
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#13
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 4,337
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
There's a lot of "right" and "wrong" but that's not the issue. The key words are "legal" and "expedient." It's easy for government to "payoff" employees with juicy pensions unavailable in the private sector. It's easy for management to buy labor peace with pension plans and benefits they know will eventually crush the company when they know they'll be long gone with their cushy pension (not heavily tied to the company's health in most cases if you watch the deals.)
Say what you will about contracts and what you deserve. The coming reality is more defaults and the spill over into the public sector. When people hear what airline pilots "lost" and still receive after the default, there isn't much sympathy from most people. The same will happen when the typical American is staring at their shrinking SS check and meager 401k when their former chief of police is getting his pension whacked.
The new pension law will probably end the traditional, fixed payment pension plan as we know it in the private sector. Companies will not want the undefined liability and market risk. After that, taxpayer revolts will impact the pubic sector.
__________________
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane -- Marcus Aurelius
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08-27-2006, 04:00 PM
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#14
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gone traveling
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,146
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tawny Dangle
What abuse? If I sign a contract with a government or company, and they tell me that in lieu of wage increases, I am going to receive a nice pension, started at age 55, cola'd, etc., then that is the agreement. If the government or company mismanages the money I invest in my pension for 30 years and reneges on their contract, they are criminals. If they blame me for their problems and turn the customer base/taxpayers against me to divert attention from their own incompetence, they are asshole criminals.
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Your darn right!
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08-27-2006, 04:02 PM
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#15
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gone traveling
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,146
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Yea everyone gets to have their own 401K
wasn't that an old way to additionally compensate the big wigs in companies in addition to their pensions 30 years back??
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08-27-2006, 04:55 PM
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#16
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 228
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
The taxpayers are going to revolt and do what? Lynch public retirees? This is not a matter that can be put to a vote. If voters decided public employee wages, we would all make the minimum wage.
The legislators at the behest of voters have already implemented a multi-tier pension system that ensures that new hires are reamed up the butt from the onset. They know they are the lowest of the low and their benefits package reflects that. Good luck at the DMV next time you need to renew your DL, by the way. Smart people are not working in government anymore.
Our state has suffered from a spate of lame anti-tax/anti-government referenda in the last several years. Many of these ultimately proved unconstitutional and have been reversed, costing taxpayers millions of dollars. They are often promoted by large business concerns who profit behind the scenes. So much for "tax revolts."
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08-27-2006, 05:06 PM
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#17
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 4,337
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Anymore? Based on my exposure to DMV, they never did.
__________________
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane -- Marcus Aurelius
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08-27-2006, 05:31 PM
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#18
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright
Posts: 2,847
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tawny Dangle
If voters decided public employee wages, we would all make the minimum wage.
...Smart people are not working in government anymore.
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As they take away money from the back side (pensions) they will just have to give it up front on the salary. My former employer is desperate for qualified new hires - they are offering $10,000 signing bonuses.
__________________
There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it. - Andrew Jackson
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08-27-2006, 05:35 PM
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#19
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 4,337
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leonidas
As they take away money from the back side (pensions) they will just have to give it up front on the salary.* My former employer is desperate for qualified new hires - they are offering $10,000 signing bonuses.*
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The job market has really shifted. I was laid off in early 2002 and did next to nothing for almost 2 years. I'm now making 15% more than I did in 2002 and could change jobs for 10% more with a phone call.
__________________
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane -- Marcus Aurelius
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08-27-2006, 06:58 PM
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#20
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 17,237
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Re: Wow! Wild! OOfah
Tawney...
I have NO problem with you getting a pension that 'matches' what you should get... I do have a problem with politicians that keep making it 'better' just to get by the latest problem... or they say, we have it good today, so lets make the retirement better for ALL people who EVER worked here..
And why should 'we' pay a benefit based on only three years work If you worked part time for 25 years making say $15K per year and then got a great job making $75K the last three years... your pension is based on the $75K... YOU never paid anything close to this amount... your pension should be based on all those low years and the few high years... that is what my SS will be...
And why should 'we' be expected to work until 65, but 'you' can start a full pension at 55 that we have to pay for NOW, if they did not use ONE CENT of general tax money for your retirement.. I do not have a problem with whatever you got... but that is not the case... you are getting a LOT more than you put into the system..
And yes, the ones that are getting 'screwed' are the young... but in reality, they are probably getting what thier contributions can support, no more, no less..
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