Record of Testimony

I was hired in 2000, was promised a certian pension after 10 yrs. That's when you get vested. You should have changed it for new hirires. I had a 20 year plan when I got hired, I'm on 4yrs overtime have to do another 5yrs to get the same money I would have got after 20 yrs.

Enclosed please find a list of Points to Consider to support the restoration of the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the group previously referenced.

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for the opportunity to explain how the PENSION debacle of 2011 affected US! Two Cranston teachers who taught 32 and 33 years and were told when we retired what our pension and our COLA was going to be!

I was so happy to get a job working for the State of Rhode Island while continuing my education at night. I believed the job came with a promise in the form of a contract. I promised to work with honor and respect.

I am almost 71 years old and I am still teaching because I cannot afford to retire. This is my 23rd year teaching. If I retire this year I will receive approximately $1900.00 a month. I am all alone and my sole support. If I retire I cannot afford Medicare or be able to keep my house.

I started working for the City of East Providence in the (Water Department) on April 2nd 1990. I've been there almost 34 years.

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.

My name is Mary Riley a Chapter 94 retiree, here is my testimony.

I am writing in regards to the MERS Police & Fire pensions. Due to the 2012 Pension Reforms, first responders now have to work longer careers to satisfy the minimal pension requirements for retirement.