In response to your March 16 editorial (“Early retirement sensible for eligible state workers”): What about the state employees and teachers who are not able to retire because of penalties for early retirement, which are 6 percent per year until age 62?

And what about those between the ages of 62 and 65 who will have more than 35 years of service?

The maximum retirement you can receive is 75 percent of your three highest years, so some people will have to work many years with no benefit.

Now before anyone says, “too bad,” remember that the budget shortfall is not the state employees’ fault.

We have already taken a $150 million hit in pay freezes, merit freezes and health insurance increases over the last several years.

The shortfall is from the state borrowing this money from the retirement system and not repaying it, period.

This is akin to someone breaking into your house, stealing things, and when they get caught you have to pay their fine and lawyers fees — and they get to keep what they stole from you.

Also, nowhere has anyone even mentioned that state police, firefighters, marine patrol, DEP responders and game wardens already pay more than other state employees.

This increase would now put their contribution at 10.85 percent, which I believe may be against federal law due to the Social Security offset.

Many state employees have paid a lot into Social Security and will not get very much of it back.

I will get less than $100 a month, which will not even cover Medicare costs.

State employees have had enough of being the scapegoat and blamed for something we did not create but apparently are expected to resolve.

 

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