The Honorable Greg Abbott, Governor
The Capitol
PO Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711
Dear Governor Abbott,
I am writing to ask you to add a bonus for state ERS retirees to the agenda of this special session, to come from the General Revenue surplus of $7 billion. A $2,500 check for each state retiree in Texas will total $295 million. A bonus is not only doable but also becoming a critical step to address the dire situation that many state retirees find ourselves in after 20 years with no increase to our pension checks.
I retired from ____________________ in __________ . My pension annuity has remained the same as the day I retired, even as the cost of living has increased by a great deal. When I retired, $1,720 per month plus my Social Security was a decent amount that I could live on. Now, it barely covers my rent and bills, and I am hard pressed to purchase groceries for the month. Medical costs and prescriptions have become a real concern, one medical crisis will wipe out my finances.
I served honorably the citizens of Texas for __________ years as a proud public servant. Now, as a state retiree, I am forced to decide between food and medicine as the purchasing power of my pension check continues to shrink.
I am one of thousands of state employees who are approaching twenty years since the last pension increase. It is past time to view this as an emergency. I am asking you to lead by taking an immediate action toward solving what has become a true crisis for retired state employees. Please add a bonus for state ERS retirees from the general revenue surplus to the call for this special session.
Sincerely,