The teachers and other retirees who face a hit to PERA pensions

Re: “Governor right on PERA reform,” Nov. 8 editorial.

The operative word in your editorial concerning the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) is “promise.” Clearly the state promised far too much to its employees. How does that justify telling tens of thousands of people who toiled for decades with that promise in mind that it had no validity? Thousands of retirees are well past 70 (I am not one of them). Their ability to compensate for a 3.5 percent annual increase — which was reduced to 2 percent in 2010 — becoming 1.25 percent is nonexistent. If the annual increase for retirees must be reduced once again, why not consider an exemption based upon age and/or time in service. Also, any legislation should mandate that PERA repeatedly advertise to its members that anything it states is a hunch or a wish, but certainly not a promise. Vic Reichman, Denver ●●●

“Teachers shouldn’t bear more of PERA’s burden,” Nov. 7 guest commentary.

Thank you to Nancy Sanger for this explanation of the PERA issue. I am a retired teacher, but since I worked in the Denver metro area and was at the top of the rung in experience and education level, my retirement pay is higher than the ones she quoted. I am thankful I have this pension, but with more than 30 years in education raising a family on only my income, I feel like I earned it. Everyone yells about teachers “raking it in,” but they don’t say a word about the other 50 percent of people collecting PERA — and often a lot more money. I don’t wonder that young people do not want to go into education these days. They have to be very dedicated. Barbara Gal, Lakewood