Readers React: The battle over teacher pension costs

Andrew Zhu, right, uses his iPad for a lesson at Walden Elementary School in Deerfield, Ill.

Sept. 30, 2015 5 AM PT

To the editor: My thanks to Michael Hiltzik for addressing the forces who are trying to destroy California teachers’ defined-benefit pensions. (“Teacher pensions are well-earned,” Column, Sept 27)

Yes, every month I paid money into the pension fund. No, I am not eligible for Social Security benefits. And I would have liked to have been teaching for the Los Alamitos district at that enormous salary. That is not the norm.

If critics would read what the experts have to say about countries with great educational systems, they would stop interfering and work to promote an American culture that prizes education as highly as sports and entertainment — maybe even higher.

Darlene Wilson, West Hills
..

To the editor: Let’s assume that teacher pensions are well-earned (even though California education is ranked low among the 50 states). As with any pension plan, the issue is the actuarial construction of the pension program.

The taxpayers should not be obligated for shortfalls that result from poor management, unrealistic return assumptions or other accounting gimmicks.

Don Black, Rancho Palos Verdes

To the editor: It seems that you are looking at this issue in the light of only one facet of the prism. I do not propose to debate whether these pensions and other post-retirement benefits are earned. I do question whether we are willing or able to pay more.

Currently, a large percentage of the budget of Los Angeles is committed to paying the past service costs of retired employees, yet we do not have the resources to fix streets, sidewalks and sewers, all of which are general maintenance issues. How then do we fund expansion of transportation infrastructure and other new technologies?

Maybe it is time to allow all municipal employees to contribute to Social Security and draw benefits similar to private industry. It might be worth looking at — or would they balk at such a reduction in benefits?

Kevin Minihan, Los Angeles

To the editor: I concur completely: Teacher pensions are very well-earned.

And for some individuals to call for redistribution of teacher pensions so that “short-timers” get more of the pie and decrease the amount of higher pensions is wrong.

Chet Chebegia, San Marcos

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook