No good news on pensions
Regarding the Aug. 24 editorial regarding rulings by the Washington Supreme Court on two related pension cases for State Plan 1 retirees, and the relief for taxpayers who might pay more to cover future pension liabilities: This was called “good news.”
In 1995, the Legislature merged and replaced all other COLAs with the UCOLA, and then, in 2011, they eliminated it. That was a bait-and-switch and a slap in the face to retirees who are struggling to maintain their standard of living and dignity.
The Supreme Court decisions mean that Plan 1 members will have no future cost-of-living adjustments. Retirees will face a future of stagnant benefits while costs of living and medical costs continue to escalate. Now, many who do have pensions will be falling into poverty. When no longer able to work, they will need to rely on programs for those with low incomes in ever-larger numbers, costing the state even more in the end.
As a member of the Retired Public Employee Council State of Washington, we will work to reinstate the best benefits through the political process.
John Pierson
Medical Lake