Letter to the Editor:

This letter is basically of concern to those who are contributing to Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS )- city workers, librarians, teachers, police and others. Your IPERS is an excellent retirement, so your investment in it each paycheck will pay off. It is very necessary to supplement Social Security – a retirement fund that both Democrats and Republicans have constantly raided.

IPERS had its own fund and was fully protected from raiding by our state politicians. According to several reports, in the dead of night, the IPERS fund was moved into the property tax fund. The concern here is – why? There was no reason to move it except possibly one. Now it is easy for the legislature to get into IPERS money.

We are assured by the governor and the majority party that they have no intention to touch IPERS as Governor Reynolds said, “at this time.” However, one must be concerned because what, then, was the reason for moving it from its protected status?

Unfortunately, both our Representative and Senator favor and voted for moving IPERS. It would be very wise for all of us now receiving IPERS or those planning on it as a retirement to be very vigilant. Also, ask those running for the House and Senate, both the incumbents and the candidates, some important questions, and if you choose, vote according to their answers.

We certainly do not want a repeat of Kentucky where the public servants’ retirement disappeared in state spending.

Anne Michael

Tama