Legislative Actions from ARTC
Summer 2007 Report
By Cathy D'Agostino
and Sandra Bove
Legislative Co-Chairpersons
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Teachers’ Pension
"Because of our members' efforts our pensions are now secure for the next 25 years. Our C.O.L.A. now is exactly set up the same way as those who retired prior to 1992. You did it, and now we need to fix our medical benefits and fix Social Security. We will do it, if you continue to support ARTC."
Through the efforts of our State Treasurer Denise Nappier, support from Speaker James Amann, intense lobbying from the ARTC Legislative Committee and a ground swell of support from our members as well as other retired educators, Governor Rell signed into law the bill which authorizes 2 billion dollars in Pension Obligation Bonds to address the 6.9 billion shortfall in the Teachers' Retirement Fund on July 10, 2007. The law will require the State to fund the Retirement Fund at 100 percent of the actuarially recommended contribution over the life of the bonds. This will reduce the unfunded liability and save the taxpayers billions of dollars in the long run. Additionally the law will ensure a guaranteed COLA for retirees. Naturally we take great pride in knowing that all our hard work and intense lobbying from our members has had such positive results.
Health Insurance
Health issues remain a concern for retired teachers. The state subsidy paid to each municipality has not increased since 1996. The $110 paid each month ($220 per couple) is no way covers the insurance increases that many retired teachers presently pay. In addition, teachers who retired prior to the Enhancement Act need special attention from the Legislature as nearly one-fourth or more of their modest pensions goes to pay health insurance. ARTC is working with our senators and representatives to pass appropriate legislation to correct these problems. That legislation, though supported by the House Insurance Committee, died in Appropriations. We will continue to lobby for increases. In addition we will continue working with Comptroller Nancy Wyman to explore other solutions. Insurance remains a priority.
Social Security
On the federal front, ARTC continues to lobby for repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). These provisions adversely affect retired public school teachers in Connecticut and 13 other states (AK, CA, CO, IL, KY, LA, MA, ME, MO, NV, OH, RI, TX, and a few districts in GA). As a result of these provisions teachers cannot collect full earned Social Security benefits. In addition, these teachers are penalized by drastically cutting or completely taking away their deceased spouse's earned benefits.
This inequity is the result of Congress passing legislation in 1977 which denied and withdrew earned and promised Social Security benefits (except Medicare) to teachers in 14 states.
In Connecticut all our United States Representatives are in support of repeal of the GPO and the WEP. Senator Dodd has also endorsed this repeal. Senator Lieberman, however, has not officially endorsed it. The Legislative Committee and the Social Security Committee are working to bring these concerns to the forefront. We have met with Representatives Chris Murphy and Joe Courtney as well as made calls to Representatives Rosa DeLauro, John Larsen, and Chris Shays.
Our goal is to work with the Coalition of 14 States and other municipal workers to address this injustice. Nothing short of repeal of the GPO and the WEP can bring about equity to our teachers. We pledge continued support of these measures.
Please Note: If you were eligible to retire prior to 1987 and didn’t- you may be able to receive full Social Security benefits even though you did not retire at that time. Even though your are not retired and visited your local Social Security office for their advice when you retired it does not matter. Call or write Barbara Jiantonio at the Teacher Retirement Board so that she can check your work record for the eligibility to retire as of 1987. The Teacher Retirement Board number is 860-241-8404 or 8402. Their address is T.R.B., 20 Grand Street, Hartford, CT 06106
