Your editorial “The Time has Come for Pension Reform” (Feb. 5) is correct in that the nation’s financial crisis has left too many American workers worried about economic security in their elder years; however, the Acorn pointed to a false solution.

We need to make sure everyone who has worked hard and played by the rules their whole lives can retire with dignity and security, as opposed to stripping more workers of secure retirements.

Pensions have been financially viable for decades, and just like 401(k)s they took a hit during the recent market crash due to the abuses of Wall Street. Investments, not taxpayers, pay 75 cents of every dollar paid to retirees.

Like the vast majority of public employees, I will receive less than $30,000 per year in retirement after a lifetime of hard work. Most public workers don’t receive Social Security or health insurance; the city of Simi Valley General Unit employees are amongst this group.

The economic crisis doesn’t mean pensions are unviable; it means we need to ensure that our economy recovers in a healthy and responsible way so that pensions and other investments provide the safety net we need.
Nancy Fisher
Simi Valley

Fisher is president of the Simi chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).