LETTERS: Legislature must get serious on PERS

To the editor:

State legislators need to stop tinkering around the edges of reform to the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System. Workers in the private sector want PERS on parity with those who must fund the program.

Much has been written about how PERS is likely solvent. Then we are told that it is only 70 percent funded and that future solvency calculations rely upon an unlikely 8 percent annual return and a growing contributor base.

A recent proposal to eliminate the PERS practice of “buying air time” — purchasing years of service in order to retire earlier — is a small step in the right direction. This, along with the proposal to use an employee’s best five years rather than three when calculating retirement pay, also nibbles around the edge of the problem. PERS constituents have the distinct advantage of professional money management, while not having to pay into Social Security or conform to its rules and constraints.

It is egregious that those working in the private sector must continue to fund PERS at such a high level, while also managing their own 401K retirement plans — for the lucky few that can do both. Unlike PERS recipients, retirement insecurity for those in the private sector is compounded, as they are subject to a much higher probability of unemployment and generally must work more than 30 years to become full-retirement eligible.

Today, private-sector employees shoulder all of their retirement risk, while very generously funding PERS employees who have very little risk, yet receive a great reward. If PERS is to continue, then at a minimum retirement should be based solely upon a salary-only history. For retirement, salaries would be adjusted for inflation, and 30 years of service would be used as a full retirement constant. If the employee’s work history amounts to only 25 years, then the retirement calculation uses five years at zero dollars. This is how it is done in the real world. It is time for PERS to return back to earth.

RICHARD RYCHTARIK

LAS VEGAS

Ex-judge’s sentencing

To the editor:

Compliments to Glenn Cook for his column on ex-Family Court judge Steven Jones (“Jones deserved punchout, got kid gloves,” March 15 Review-Journal). I agree that judges command a certain amount of respect. However, Jones does not.

Jones is nothing more than a convicted thief. He used his office to commit white-collar crime in its purest form, and did so while wearing the robe of a judge. Adding insult to injury, he sat back and collected a paid vacation at taxpayers’ expense for nearly two years. Will Jones be asked to return that money? He is a convicted thief, right? Wasn’t the salary paid to him as a judge while committing his crimes payment enough?

And what about the money he stole from his victims? Shouldn’t he have to pay that back? Furthermore, is this thief still entitled to collect a pension for his exemplary public disservice while sitting on the bench?

The old adage states, “Crime does not pay.” That could be true for most, unless of course you are a public servant. It seems white-collar crime is the way to go, especially if you are a judge. You have reached the pinnacle of pampered criminals. Isn’t that what sentencing Judge Jennifer Dorsey acknowledged when she slapped his hands and sent him off with just a 26-month sentence to atone for his sins?

Sincerest thanks to Mr. Cook. We need more journalists who are not afraid to tell it like it is.

BILL GOLAS

LAS VEGAS

Affordable Care Act

To the editor:

A hearty “amen” to Sue Schuettler’s letter (“GOP’s fear of Obamacare unfounded,” March 16 Review-Journal). Shortly after being diagnosed with a serious illness, my son was coldly and summarily fired from the management job he held for 22 years. That meant his health benefits ended Jan. 31.

Without the Affordable Care Act’s provisions, he would have had to pay astronomical monthly amounts to be insured under COBRA, with no incoming salary. After that coverage ended, he would have had a horrible time finding a company that would insure him. Thanks, Obamacare, for being there for my son in his time of need.

SYLVIA HARDIN

LAS VEGAS