Catherine DiChiaro

I am writing to ask you to do all that you can do to restore the COLA that was promised to teachers by contract upon retirement.  

I have been attendind the meetings of the Advocates for COLA Restoration and have heard many heart wrenching stories of how taking this away from us has impacted so negatively on hard working teachers who always kept their end of the bargain.  

I realize that you were not part of that voting body in 2011,  the one that took our contributions and diverted them elsewhere.  I spoke with Senator Shekatchi and he asked me where this earned promise would come from.  I cannot answer that question, but you and the General Assembly need to find a way to help, at least the retirees who retired prior to 2011.  

I am a widowed teacher who taught for 30 years in Smithfield, a system that did  not collect Social Security from teachers. Because of this, even though I have enough credits from other employment, I am not able to collect my full Social Security.  In addition, I am not able to collect my husband's Social Security. ( He was not in education).  The Social Security Administration subtracts my pension from his, then reduces that by 3/4.  He was getting around $3000 per month.  I can collect only $85 per month.  

Inflation had risen so much since 2011, and now with higher prices we have reduced buying power.  

I certainly hope with my heart of hearts that you will be able to take into consideration and act on the plans that the Advocates for COLA Restoration will be presenting to you.

I realize that you are a busy man, but I would be willing to meet with you or talk to you about this.

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