Opinion

Do the math on teacher pensions

Posted October 27, 2011 5:00 am

I’m responding to Cindy Klickna’s Oct. 24 comments titled “Don’t blame public workers for woes.” Now keep in mind that she is the President of the Illinois Education Association. I will assume she is very intelligent and can handle simple math i.e. multiplication and division. Basically she claims that because “9.4 percent of every one of their paychecks has gone toward their retirement plan” teachers’ pensions are justifiable and funded.

I have a simple question: Have you done the math? If you had you would realize that contributions are exhausted after just a few years in retirement. You are correct, although, in saying that it’s not entirely the teachers fault. Teacher unions and school boards are mostly to blame, with the Democratic legislature not far behind.

At the end of the day it’s plain to see teacher pensions in this state are unjustified, underfunded and not sustainable. Do the math.

Al Palash

Winfield

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