Honorable Members of the Pension Advisory Working Group,

I retired from state service after 29 years, which I began in 1969 right after high school. I retired early in order to spend time with my elderly legally blind mother who lives with me. At the time of retirement, I was expecting COLAs to keep up with household expenses. I received a few COLAs (2) until they ended during Treasurer Raimondo's administration. Since then, I turned 65. I went to my town hall in North Providence to receive the elderly property tax decrease. This was $10,000 less than my property assessment.

My name is Alan Rainville, I retired from the Woonsocket Fire Department in December of 2011. When I committed myself to the Fire Service n the mid 80’s, I was told that I would receive a Pension with a 3% Annual COLA after dedicating my services to the Citizens of Woonsocket for at least twenty years. I fulfilled my contract; unfortunately the State of Rhode Island failed to meet their obligations and my 3% COLA was stripped from me and my fellow retirees after I retired in 2012.

I retired in 2013 after 27+ years of service to the State, the last 21 years as a DCYF Social Worker. The 2011 Pension Reform legislation was passed on my 59th birthday.

I made an informed decision to retire because, post 2011, I knew what the deal would be and the percentages of pay I would receive. This was not true for any State Employee who retired prior to the 2011 law's passage.

I realize that the December 14 meeting has passed whereby you would be accepting testimony but I wanted to also mention again that I am one of the members who chose the social security option as my pension when I retired in June 2008. This option is also known as the SRA plus. In other words, the state frontloads you more money equivalent to what your Social Security would be at age 62 in your early years of your retirement . I was 54 years old when I retired so I was able to collect an additional $800 per month until I was the age of 62.

My name is Tim Murphy . I am a retired state of Rhode Island employee. I was also affected when the General Assembly chose not to follow the law in 2011. I too represent the sentiments of the Clifford group and the pre-RIRSA Retiree Pension Justice group.

To the Pension Advisory Working Group, this is my testimony in the form of a letter regarding the effect the Retirement Security Act of 2011 had on me. I worked for the Woonsocket Police Department from February 25, 1985 to January 5, 2009 .While on the job I received an associates degree in 1988 from Bryant College. A bachelors degree of Administration of Justice in 1990 from Roger Williams University. And a Masters degree of Administration of Justice in 1997 from Salve Regina University.

Members of the PAWG

I can’t attend the meeting but just wanted to say that I retired in 2017 haven’t had any increase in my pension since then but my part D medical has more than doubled since then If this could be passed along I will appreciate thank you.

Submitted via email

I have been retired since 2004.  I previously worked a few years in Massachusetts but came to Rhode Island largely because of the superior pension.  Little did I know that the COLA would be stolen from us by the previous Treasurer/Governor. We paid almost 10% per year of our salary for a promised pension with a COLA.