Don’t change the plan

The Thurston County Superior Court got it right [“Pension-raise ruling should be reversed,” Editorials, Opinion, Nov. 27]. It reinstated cost-of-living raises for state Plan 1 pension plans.

Two years ago, this cost-of-living adjustment had been eliminated to help balance the state budget. Since these plans were closed to new hires in 1977, most members are elderly.

What most people don't realize is this cost-of-living adjustment was added to the plan when it was seen that teachers were teaching well past their prime. Teachers knew that their set-amount pensions would erode quickly.

The Plan 1 cost-of-living adjustment caps at 3 percent. If inflation is 0 percent or 1 percent, the adjustment is 0 percent or 1 percent. It is wrong to change the plan well after people have retired. Most are now too old to go back to work.

— Wanda Granquist, Auburn