Record of Testimony

I am a retired police officer (Sept 2018) who served 30 years from 1988 to 2018. While in a Private Pension Plan System, I became part of a team that moved our pension from that private plan to the MERS Retirement System and this was in 1995.

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.

Like many I planned my retirement on the expected money I would receive through my legal and binding contract. Retiring in 2008 after 33 years of teaching, I did not receive the compounded cola as promised. This made it impossible to stop working.

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

Submitted via online email

The change to the Teachers Pension Plan certainly had a negative effect on both my husband, Howard, and myself. After my working for 34 years and my husband 30 working for the Town of Lincoln, we both are struggling with no COLA.

I would like to remind the PAWC that the General Assembly charged them with determining the “unintended consequences of the 2011 Pension Reform Act.

Suggest that the state of RI should not be taxing our Pensions!  We have already paid taxes on our money!

Submitted via email

I am single. I depend on my pension to survive. I have less money to enjoy my retirement my insurance is astronomical. My standard of living has been reduced drastically I am fearful of what my future holds. Please 🙏 I need some financial relief.

I have been blessed to be an employee for the State of Rhode Island at the Department of Environmental Management. I feel I have served the citizens of this state effectively and honestly.

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