Local 434 Member Addresses Legislators at Town Hall regarding Tier 2

Last week, Local 434 Secretary Ashley Mims spoke to Senator Christopher Belt (D) Rep. Katie Stuart (D), and Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R) in front of close to 200 fellow unionists about the inequities of Tier 2 and how it is harming our communities. Our most vital fields of service are feeling the effects of employee shortages, and soon communities will begin feeling those effects, too.

Did you know that teachers who worked at least 1 day before January 2011 (Tier 1) will get to retire on average 7 years earlier with more benefits? This goes for all state employees—teachers, fire fighters, state health care workers, social workers, and so many more. Tier 2 employees are doing the exact same work and giving 7 more years of their lives, only to retire with fewer benefits. Here are some of the biggest inequities:

• Tier 1 employees get to retire as early as age 55 with 35 years of service, age 60 with 10 years of service, or 62 with 5 years of service. Tier 2 employees have to work until 67 to receive full retirement benefits. Period.
• Tier 2 employees are paying in the same amount as Tier 1 employees, but receiving far fewer benefits.
• Tier 1 employees receive a 3% Cost of a living increase that compounds annually. Tier 1 employees’ CoL will not be compounded.

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Be on the lookout for how to support undoing Tier 2 and restoring fair, equitable retirement benefits to the people who dedicate their careers to serving your community. Next up: day of action in Springfield on November 13!