Dear Editor
When you go to the polls on November 7, please vote for Proposition 9 giving Texas retired teachers a much needed COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment).
The last COLA this group received was in 2004 nearly twenty years ago.
The adjustment is modest and is on a sliding scale based on the annuitant's year of retirement. I'm in the middle group and would receive a 4% increase in my monthly annuity payment.
I retired in 2005 with 35 years of service. My monthly gross is approximately $3000. The 4% "bump" would be about $125. It's not much, but it would cover a chunk of my TRS insurance that costs $135 a month.
So many retired teachers are trying to get by on much less. Please remember that most retirees do not draw Social Security.
The GPO, a federal law, eliminates those benefits; even for teachers who paid into that system.
The COLA will not affect your taxes.
The increase would come from the state's general revenue.
Again, please vote FOR Proposition 9 Nov. 7.
Sincerely,
Sally Rogers
