State must keep promise to teachers

I am a retired teacher, and let’s set the record straight. As a retired teacher I am responsible for my own health insurance. Many teachers do not retire under the age of 60 because there are severe financial penalties. A pension reduction of 6 percent per year for each year under the age of 60 is assessed, unless you have the maximum of 35 years in Teachers Retirement System.

I expect the state of Illinois to keep its word to me and many other teachers. My first teaching position paid $9,100 for the year. My college friends (nonteachers) had starting salaries between $12,000 and $13,500. I made over 30 percent less than them. The taxpayers said you knew that upfront entering the profession, so “live with it.”

Also as part of the same package, the taxpayers and the state guaranteed us a pension. Now I say “live with it.”

My wife (also a teacher) and I managed to get by and save for our family’s needs. Even if we had a financial crisis, the state of Illinois wanted their payment on time. The state would never let me skip my payments and promised to make them up at a later date.

Let’s be clear about the pension crisis. It is not the fault of the teachers or the economy. It is the fault of our governors, state senators and state representatives. It started well over 15 years ago and is the fault of both Democrats and Republicans.

We are in this mess because of all the skipped pension payments by the state of Illinois and using those funds elsewhere to gather future votes. Many voters wanted more services but were not willing to pay for those services. Keep your word, state of Illinois. We kept ours for over 35 years!

Rich Niemaszyk

Streamwood