I retired from teaching in 2018 after 30 years in Topsham’s schools. My husband had retired earlier after a long career as a firefighter. We learned, throughout our careers, that sometimes elected officials have underfunded our pensions and cut benefits for retired teachers and public service workers. And now, without action from our elected officials in Augusta, we will see yet another cut to our pensions.

When I began teaching, the McKernan administration faced a budget shortfall, and part of the solution was to raise the teacher retirement age to 62. Every paycheck I earned directed 7.65 percent toward my pension and, like other teachers, I was not eligible for Social Security benefits.

In 2011, then-Gov. Paul LePage and the Legislature at the time used a similar tactic, raising the teacher and state worker retirement age, this time to age 65, among other cuts to our pension system.

All of these hits to retired teachers take their toll. The erosion of benefits means we can’t take care of our homes, keep up with the cost of prescriptions or pay our heating bills. Last summer, our pension benefits saw an increase of 3 percent, but at the same time inflation was 5.4 percent. Without action from Gov. Mills and legislators, retirees will once again go backward.

While the state has seen historic increases in revenue, we hope Gov. Mills and the Legislature will prioritize fully funding the cost of living for retired teachers and state employees from 3 percent to 5.4 percent.

Peggy Brown
Brunswick

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