State pensions unfair for pre-2001 retirees
Editor: Now that election time is nearing, perhaps it is time, again, to ask the state and all politicians for some help for the retired citizens of the Commonwealth and the city of Scranton. Our pleas over the past few months seem to be falling on “deaf” ears.
At the state level, we once again ask the Republican Senators to please, please pass a COLA for the retired teachers and other state employees who retired before 2001 and have been waiting 30 years for a pension increase since our retirement income keeps dwindling because of increases in everything necessary for survival. In the five years since moving to Scranton, our rent has increased $700.
So at the local level, we ask the mayor and/or city council to seriously consider a rent control of 2-5 percent maximum. The $700 increase in five years is approximately a 38% increase whereas our Social Security income has inceased 2-3%. This is especially directed at the private landlords who do not seem to care that their tenants are mostly, if not all, on fixed incomes. I imagine talking to them would get a response like: “If you don’t like it… move.” Their concerned philosophy on paper does not match their philosophy in the real world.
So I ask them for their help and also ask all state and Scranton citizens remember these things when it comes time to vote.
Paul Sawka, Scranton