Don't blame pensioners for Illinois budget problems

The headline in the Daily Herald July 7 was about pension income for an article by Jake Griffin, citing pensions to various state of Illinois employees.

I am a state of Illinois retiree living on a pension, which far exceeds the maximum Social Security benefit one can get. Ask yourself this question. If you were offered a position which would give up to 80% of your salary after 30 years service and premium free health care, which most state of Illinois pensions do, would you say, "No, I'll enter into the private sector and get SS benefits instead."? Why would you?

The unions and Illinois have a contractual agreement, and we wouldn't be having any conversations were it not for the state's fiscal mismanagement of its pension funds.

This article mentions how some pensioners are also collecting Social Security. This is not a gift. You had to put enough time into Social Security to get any benefits, so it's earned. I collect Social Security as I put enough time in the private sector to earn it.

However, the article fails to mention the windfall provision. Social Security is cut if you are drawing from another pension source, be it federal or state. Mine was cut by about 30%.

Don't blame us for this dilemma. Blame our politicians.

Lawrence Kopp

Schaumburg