UPDATE: Proposed changes in pension and health care benefits

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Please see the below message from the Professional Staff Senate’s representatives on the Council of University System Staff representatives (CUSS).  The Maryland General Assembly is in session through April 12 and will be making decisions that will have an impact on pension and health care benefits for state employees and retirees. Their decisions will have a direct impact on your finances.

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Dear Colleagues,

We are now in the last ten days of the state legislative session. CUSS and the USM administration have worked together to set up a CapWiz vehicle through which we can direct staff to communicate with their state senators and delegates regarding the proposed legislation set to impact our health and retirement benefits.  The delivered letter, quoted below, gives each person the opportunity to support one of the proposals while stating that we're not really pleased this has to be done at all. The letter can be personalized as the individual desires. We are being asked to have staff use personal email addresses if possible as this does not connote these messages being sent from work during work time.

Cap Wiz link:

Text of message:

"My present concern is with the proposed changes to State Pension and Health Benefits in HB 72. I understand that you have a fiduciary responsibility to maintain a balanced State budget, and in these trying economic times, I know that's not an easy task. However, balancing the budget at the expense of State employees by eliminating their jobs and benefits -- especially the benefits of retirees who have given millions of hours of dedicated service -- is unacceptable. Many State workers, especially University workers, have made conscious decisions about not only their employment with the State, but their family's future, based on those obligations and promises. To take those away in any part is borderline criminal. Therefore, I'd like you to know that I support the [O'Malley administration's proposal] [House's modifications] [Senate's modifications] to HB 72.

The Senate proposal for a 92% rule will drive away many prospective faculty hires, especially proven senior professors who will be skeptical of being able to accumulate the required years.

It is not the fault of State employees for not providing adequate and proper funding for pensions and benefits.  Therefore, it should not now become the problem of existing fully vested employees because someone else failed to do what they should have done.  I do understand times are tough, but it does no good to make it tougher than it already will be for State employees in and approaching retirement."

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