Record of Testimony

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.

Honorable Members of the Pension Advisory Working Group,

My name is Alan Rainville, I retired from the Woonsocket Fire Department in December of 2011.

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 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.

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.

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.

Members of the PAWG

When I began my career in November of 1997, I was under the impression I could retire after 28 years. In 2011 when Gov Raimondo overhauled the pension system, it is expected I retire at 67 with less than I expected. This is 15 years longer than what I signed up for. It's not fair.

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.