Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/63126
TAKING A STAND Proposal increases retirement age AFTER NEARLY 34 YEARS teaching students with moderate to severe dis- abilities, Ukiah special education teacher Deanna Willson looks forward to retiring someday soon. She can't imagine having to wait until she's 67 to do it. Under Gov. Jerry Brown's pension reform plan, however, 67 would be the new retirement age for public employees in non- safety positions — employees like teachers and education support professionals. Although the proposal won't affect employees is one of several proposals the governor recommended in his pension reform package of last fall. CTA is working Increasing the retirement age of public " Governor's pension proposal pains members' pocketbooks them with eating. I think it would be dif- ficult to do my job after age 60, and I'm in good shape. west Teachers Association in San Diego and, like Willson, a special education teacher. Margolis works with students with mild to moderate disabilities, some with autism and behavioral issues. Education support professionals like Members will experience a significant reduction in their standard of living. Willson's retirement plans, she still can't fathom it for her or for newly recruited teachers. "When you've been doing this for 34 or 35 years, there's a lot of wear and tear on the body, kids for a few years, but I'm always bend- ing up and down, pushing wheelchairs, helping them go to the toilet and assisting " she says. "I haven't had to lift to improve the plan before it is voted on by the Legislature. Talk to almost any educator these days, and they will scoff at the idea of raising their retirement age to 67. "This is an extremely physical job, Rebecca Margolis, a member of the South- " says Robert Hill, a carpenter and member of the Ventura Classified Employees Association, also see no rhyme or reason to the governor's proposal. Hill says the majority of ESP begin their job as second careers and can only expect to receive a pension of $1,400 to $1,600 a month when they retire. "They're talking about raising the retirement age to 67? When the average lifespan of a male in this country is 74, that would give me six to seven years to enjoy retirement," he says. 34 California Educator / April 2012