I edited my original post wasn't fair. But no most employees don't strike they go to work.

 

Quite a number in Jefferson Co showed up in schools to assemble and distribute backpacks full of food to kids so they have food through next week.

I think there are legitimate arguments on both sides. The way this has all been handled, including some very public comments by top political figures that disparaged the teachers, makes all of this sordid. Now we have some sort of legislation attached to another piece of legislation last minute, that itself lends the most cliche of negative appearance and talking points....

 

On the surface, someone got what they wanted, and looks strong to the ill-informed. The situation will get tons of national media, and someone will keep their face in the national spotlight. In the meantime, it will be a nasty election cycle, an protracted legal battle for the state, and potentially lead to future challenges hiring and retaining teachers. AND it will do virtually nothing to address the actual issue. We'll see how it all plays out soon.

I saw a couple people correct this earlier but wanted to go in further detail. Teachers don't get Social Security because they don't pay into it and neither does that state for the employer half.

 

Now for those employees who had both public and private sector work years there is a rule called the Windfall Elimination Provision. If you have more than 30 years of Substanial earnings paying into Social Security then you won't have any reduction. For those under 30 years your Social Security does get reduced based on how few years you paid. If you don't pay into Social Security for 10 years or have 40 qualifying credits then you don't qualify for Social Security regardless if your a private or public sector worker.

 

The spousal clause I do not agree with. Which states if the spouse passes who has the state pension then the surviving spouse will have their Social Security reduced by two thirds of the amount of the monthly pension they inherited from their spouse.

Do teachers pay into social security?

 

Public teachers do not

Teachers teachers teachers.

 

What about social workers, state prisons, highway workers and state police?

 

Those Kentucky employees are not only suffering the same losses as teachers, they're also going to be taking a pay cut.

 

Not to mention the rest of the state already changed retirement for new hires in 2013. All new hires are in a 401 (a) retirement other than teachers.

 

Teachers retirement is funded better than the rest of state employees and from what I gather, theyre losing less.

 

I cant stand seeing nothing but worry for teachers when there are lots of other state employees who stand to lose as much or more.

I hear you and you are right, this bill affects all state and govt employees. The outrage blanket should be a little wider.

 

As far as groups of employees "suffering the same losses as teachers" not so fast. State Troopers and a lot of others pay into social security where teachers cannot. That is why violating the contract signed with teachers in regards to their retirement is worse.

I edited my original post wasn't fair. But no most employees don't strike they go to work.

 

And over 100 districts went to school today, so most teachers went to work.

And over 100 districts went to school today, so most teachers went to work.

 

That is my point on media coverage then. They make it sound like the entire school system shutdown and that made me angry.

I hear you and you are right, this bill affects all state and govt employees. The outrage blanket should be a little wider.

 

As far as groups of employees "suffering the same losses as teachers" not so fast. State Troopers and a lot of others pay into social security where teachers cannot. That is why violating the contract signed with teachers in regards to their retirement is worse.

 

Does that state pay the employer portion for the Troopers? That seems odd. I've never heard this before.

 

I also will state the 3 jobs on a local and federal level should sustain defined benefit plans for are Law Enforcement , Fire Fighters and Military. Mainly because of the physical toll and risk of death.

I just find the teachers union to be disingenous in this whole situation. Where was their leadership the last 20 years when the pension wasn't being funded. Where were the protests under past adminstrations. Now they are angry because someone is trying to ammend past mistakes.

 

The fact of the matter is if this were a private pension the federal government would of dissolved or shut it down a decade ago for a lack of funding. Now because of poor leadership the union wants tax payers to bail them out.

 

There is no teachers’ union in Kentucky except JCPS.

 

These pension systems would be solvent with the state’s contributions. I don’t see how that is bailing the pension system out by paying the money owed.

http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/cbnkq8/picture207498234/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1140/WEB180330CanKickingGraph

 

Looks like we are still kicking the can down the road.

Does that state pay the employer portion for the Troopers? That seems odd. I've never heard this before.

 

I also will state the 3 jobs on a local and federal level should sustain defined benefit plans for are Law Enforcement , Fire Fighters and Military. Mainly because of the physical toll and risk of death.

Yes, under the FICA law the employer pays in a matching contribution for any employee contribution. KY State Police employees pay into social security.

There is no teachers’ union in Kentucky except JCPS.

 

These pension systems would be solvent with the state’s contributions. I don’t see how that is bailing the pension system out by paying the money owed.

 

I get that isn't exactly the teachers fault but it also isn't the tax payers fault. It wasn't GM or Ford employees fault the pensions ended. It isn't what teachers want to hear but the fact is moving forward defined Benefit plans as currently written aren't sustainable.

 

There needs to be a concession on the states part for those close to retirement I can agree. But those early in their career need to be moved off pensions and into defined contribution plans. This is how all pensions were shutdown in the private sector. Kentucky should not hire another teacher into the current system.

Yes, under the FICA law the employer pays in a matching contribution for any employee contribution. KY State Police employees pay into social security.

 

I know the FICA law I just didn't know the troopers paid in. How or does the trooper pension differ from teachers.

http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/cbnkq8/picture207498234/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1140/WEB180330CanKickingGraph

 

Looks like we are still kicking the can down the road.

 

Is there a link to the actual analysis and calculation on these projections ?

Where was their leadership the last 20 years when the pension wasn't being funded. Where were the protests under past adminstrations.

 

Exactly.

 

The present outcry, while I understand it and even agree with it, also has a ring of inconsistency to it. Where was this outrage for the last two decades or so while the government was crapping away retirement contributions?