Worker pensions were earned, not given
Your story about the pensions that will be available to retiring state officials and workers leaves to the conclusion that these are "farewell bonuses." Actually, they are the monies due to retirees who have paid a 9 percent deduction of their salaries over the years.
Many, such as my wife, contributed for 35 or more years. Since, as a teacher, she wasn't entitled to Social Security, this is not a "gift" from the state but something earned.
True, in some rare cases the system is corrupted, but in I would guess more than 99 percent of the time, the teachers, police and fire retirees, and other state and municipal workers are just getting what is due them and what they earned.
George Blinick
Prospect Heights
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