Vermont Teachers Protest Pension Reductions

Vermont public school teachers gathered at the State House in Montpelier last week to protest proposed changes in pensions for teachers and other state employees. The state legislature, which had not funded the pension plans adequately in past years, creating an ever-increasing deficit in the retirement system, considered a proposal to reduce pensions and require larger pay-in amounts, among other changes. The changes would not have affected those already retired or who would retire within five years. However, the reaction from teachers was swift and emphatic. By the end of the week the speaker of the state House of Representatives withdrew the proposal and planned to appoint a commission to study the situation over the summer.