Workers earned pensions

EDITOR:

The Vindicator recently published articles questioning the sustainability of Ohio’s public pension systems and a very emotional, yet incorrect, column by Bertram de Souza.

Retirement security should be the goal for everyone. This means being able to plan for retirement and not outliving one’s savings. The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) is sustainable, less costly than the 401(k) model, and provides retirement security to our members. Studies by the National Institute on Retirement and others bolster this position, yet Mr. de Souza chose to ignore the studies.

Simply put, we support a secure retirement for all Ohioans.

Public workers contribute 10 percent of their salary throughout their years of service. The average annual pension benefit for a public employee in Ohio is $25,736, hardly the “pot of gold” as described by Mr. de Souza.

In comparison, private-sector pensions average $13,326. Yet private sector retirees also receive Social Security benefits averaging $12,699 a year for a total of $26,025 in annual benefits. Mr. de Souza failed to mention that public employees do not receive Social Security.

The OPERS Board has sent recommendations to the General Assembly to change the pension benefit plan which will continue to ensure the strength of our system and continue to stay within the statutorily required timeframe, without increasing employer contributions.

Our 75-year history of prudent and proactive management has resulted in secure retirement benefits for thousands of public workers now and in the future. For Mr. de Souza to label as “bloodsuckers” Ohio’s public workers who teach our children, protect our communities and serve the public through a variety of support services demonstrates a lack of respect and understanding for all Ohio’s workers who have earned a secure retirement.

CHRIS DeROSE

Chief Executive Officer Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

Columbus