Retirees In Action: Help us ensure your health benefits

The PEF Retirees is the senior element of the PEF family and, yet, we may be the fastest growing component of our union.

At the 30th Annual PEF Convention last September, President Ken Brynien asked delegates age 50 and older to raise their hands. It was obvious they were in the majority.

The PEF Retirees looks forward to attracting retiring PEF members to our chapters so we can continue to serve PEF as we build our power.

We need everyone’s help to protect and preserve our rights and benefits in retirement.

In October, The Buffalo News reported, “The Senior Citizens League said it did a study that indicated people 65 and over have lost 51 percent of their buying power since 2000 … ”

That’s inflation, and it hurts seniors on fixed incomes the most. This is why we continue to work for an enhanced cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to our pensions.

We also need our members to join us in promoting better health care protection for our seniors.

One PEF retiree writes: “I am vehemently opposed to any cuts to the health care benefits and any additional costs for health insurance for those employees who have already retired. We made our plans for retirement based on what we expected to receive in retirement funds and benefits. We made our plans ‘in good faith.’ There should be no fiddling with what we felt was a solid contract with the state of New York.

“We retirees are now faced with the current downside in the economic environment and must endure as best we can on a static income. We don’t need another financial hit.”

The PEF Retirees is aware of the daunting challenges that confront our members. We are working to build our power so that all elements of our government and society understand their obligations to seniors in our country.

We look forward to working with the new leaders in Albany and Washington for meaningful changes.

It is unacceptable there are no national policies or programs being advanced to address long-term care for American seniors. We do not accept that government can not afford to provide for seniors in our country. We demand it uphold its commitment to PEF seniors.

I and the PEF Retirees Executive Board wish you happy holidays and all the best in the new year.

Send your e-mail address to rmango@pef.org to get PEF Retirees news alerts.