Marc Medefind: Teachers are paying fair share of retirement costs

Re “Pension liabilities pinch teachers, schools alike” (Page B1, July 29): As an educator with 30 years experience in the classroom, let me make it very clear that teachers are paying their fair share for retirement benefits. We actually pay nearly 3 percent more toward our pensions than those paying into Social Security. This past year, Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature passed major changes in the state pension systems, capping benefits and increasing the retirement age.

The article on retirement benefits talked generally about teacher pensions, but then – oddly – cited as examples school superintendents, who make significantly more money than classroom teachers. On average in California, district superintendents make $117,000 more per year than teachers while school principals make $41,000 more.

Teachers also are unable to collect Social Security. Even though I worked more than seven years in the private sector and paid into Social Security during that time, I will be unable to collect what I contributed. In addition, should retirement benefits decrease, fewer and fewer prospective teachers will be attracted to the profession.

We have outstanding teachers who are paying their fair share. Without question, funding our retirement is just the right thing to do.

This story was originally published August 18, 2015 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Marc Medefind: Teachers are paying fair share of retirement costs."