Arleen Lancaster

I am a former RI teacher who taught 30years. I loved teaching but if I were starting today I would apply in CT or MA not RI. When I started I signed a contract that promised me a pension that included a cola. I was not allowed to pay into Social Security. As a teacher I spent those 30 years teaching children to do the right thing and follow rules. I'm now thinking I did the wrong thing. Even the state no longer does the "right" thing. It is inconceivable to me that a state would deliberately break a contract especially when Article 12 of it's constitution says that it can't break contracts. Wouldn't we all like to break contracts ( like a mortgage) when times are tough financially? Someone at the last pension committee meeting said restoration will depend on numbers. A state bringing in 15 million in marijuana sales it seems could contribute to the pension system each year to keep it healthy and give retirees back their colas. Most of us won't even be here in 2032. So basically the state is stealing our retirements if they "stay the course". So I ask those of you on this committee: Could you live on the salary you were getting in 2012? And how would you feel if that salary was not going to be any larger until at least 2032? That's the position you have put us in. So yes, the Pension Reform of 2012 has had very definite impact on retirees wether unintended or not. You have the chance to help fix that grave error. Thank you!

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