Good afternoon,

Let me start by saying how much I appreciate this group being formed. I am a retired firefighter with 30 years of service. I took my regular retirement when the stress of my job became to great and started causing health issues.

To the Esteemed Pension Advisory Working Group:

At 32 years old I was hired in 1998 to work for the Woonsocket Education Department.  Back then, I had to work a minimum of 28 years to retire with 60% of my pension.  In 2011, at 45 years old, everything changed.  I am now 57 years old, will work until I am 63, and retire with less than 40% of my salary.  I have tried very hard to contribute to my 403b to recoup the loss, but it is impossible. 

I am hoping a favorable decision to receive our cola back.

Submitted via online email

I retired from URI in September of 2021. However, for financial reasons due to an unexpected divorce, I returned to work at URI in December of 2022 . Under RI General Law 36-10-36 even though my position qualifies for retirement benefits because I retired, I am not permitted to receive retirement benefits.  In addition, my pension funds are suspended until I retire again. This law was created in 1994 when the economic climate was very different.

I worked for the State of Rhode supporting individuals with developmental disabilities for 32 years 4 months. I was planning on staying for 35 years, but with the changes that were being implemented I thought hard and felt it best to leave. That was 2008. I knew I would have the COLA to keep my life afloat. Or so I thought. Then 3 years later more changes came the COLA changed. Those affected lost what was promised in our contract. And when we met a person from ERSRI. When I turned 62, I lost the additional incentive given by the state.

I accepted my first position in a RI public school in 1999 and made the decision to pursue a career in public education rather than the private sector (I am a psychologist), based in part on the benefits promised to me. These included an 80% pension after 30 years of service along with healthcare in retirement and cost of living adjustment to my pension. As a result of the pension reform of 2011, this promise was retracted.

Honorable James Diossa, State Treasurer

And the Pension Advisory working Group

State House, Room 102

Providence, RI 02903

The Impacts of the Rhode Island Retirement Security Act of 2011 has caused many negative effects on law enforcement in Rhode Island. I am a law enforcement officer who was directly involved and immediately impacted by these changes. These changes have caused negative impacts on Officers, the cities and towns, and the communities we serve. The mental health of the officers suffered greatly when the changes were made. Officers had lifelong plans based around a pension agreement that was set in place before the RIRSA of 2011 was enacted.

December 14, 2023

The Honorable James A Diossa, General Treasurer

82 Smith Street Room 102

Providence RI 02903

Dear Committee Members:

As an introduction, I am a retired state trooper. A childhood dream of becoming a trooper came true in May of 1974 when I joined the State Police. I spent the next 24 years protecting the public, upholding the law, and serving my community. During my service, I was involved in many high-profile cases and received numerous awards and recognition. I am proud of my service and legacy.

Just one topic I would like to bring up and that is a cost of living increase that would be fair to all.

I’ve always thought that the following is a good way of getting a cost of living to retirees that have basically been shut out of a cost of living increases in their retirement. Even when we have received a COLA in many cases it was on less than 25% of retirement checks.