Pay Increases for Federal Retirees

Hastings Keith in his article on cost-of-living increases for federal employee pensions (Commentary, Nov. 24) left many erroneous impressions. As a retired federal employee, I think I reflect a common view that we don’t mind sharing the burden for reducing the federal debt provided that others do the same. To suggest that we get a limited COLA while congressmen and others got a hefty pay raise this year symbolizes the root problem: Bash federal employees and let us pay a disproportionate part of the price for presidential and legislative economic blunders in the 1980s.

Equally disturbing, his article leaves the impression that federal pensions are outrageously high. I suspect his pension of $90,400, which he seems to hold up as an example, represents about 1% of the pension population and is limited only to retired congressmen and top executives.

He also leaves the impression that many pensioners are getting two, three or four different federal pensions. I don’t know who they are since most get only a federal pension and perhaps Social Security. When I reach age 62 next year, my Social Security check will be the magnificent sum of $82 a month based on a part-time job. And I worked 10 years part time not for the peanuts I will get, but to qualify at 65 for Medicare. If Congress passed an adequate comprehensive health care system, I wouldn’t have to worry about health care coverage in my old age. (No, I don’t consider myself old at 61!)

DON RYERSON

San Pedro