The Daily Q: What is a pension ‘tier’ and why are state workers opposed to a new one?

What is a pension ‘tier’ and why are state workers opposed to a new one?

As part of his proposed budget for FY 2012-13, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for significant changes to the pension program for state employees.  His plan creates a new “tier” of pensions that would cut the state’s growing pension costs by reducing the benefits it provides to future employees. The proposal is known as Tier 6 because it would establish a sixth different benefit structure for future employees on top of the the 5 tiers of benefits already in place.

At the New York World, we wanted to know: What pension benefits do state workers in Tiers 1 through 5 receive? We asked Brian Curran, the Director of Legislation and Counsel for the New York State Public Employees Federation – which strongly opposes Tier 6 – to explain how the system works.  – Sasha Chavkin

...Read the whole article at The New York World

Tell Albany the truth about pensions. I did.

PEF Retiree Craig Speers make his voice heard.

Ken Brynien interviewed by YNN on Tier 6

Brynien on Tier VI

Brynien: ‘Even Popular People Can Be Wrong’

NYS AFL-CIO Launches Statewide Ad Campaign Opposing Tier 6 Rollback of Retirement Security

What’s happening to the middle class?

Income for average families is down.  Jobs are scarce.  Opportunities working people thought they could count on no longer exist.  For many New Yorkers, times are tough.  And they could get even tougher.

Because some politicians are putting the retirement security of hard-working New Yorkers on the chopping block.

But going after the pensions of firefighters, teachers, nurses, school bus drivers, police officers – the people we all depend on -- is the wrong way to go.  It's time to rebuild the middle class, not attack what’s left of it.

Working New Yorkers have been the backbone of our success for generations.  When they suffer, we all pay the price.  Call Albany at 1-877-255-9417.  Tell them to fight for the middle class and STOP the attack on our pensions.

Click here to watch the AFL-CIO Tier 6 ad and share with others. Tell your legislators Tier 6 is about politics and placating big business special interests, not sound public policy.

Radio Spot

ANNCR:  Paid for by New York State AFL-CIO, Mario Cilento, President.