Fighting for your rights (and your money). Strunk said PERS can't withhold COLAs on "fixed benefits". While you're out there demanding a complete and thorough explanation of PERS' implementation plans for the "settlement", you might also demand your COLA for 2003, 2004, and 2005 ON YOUR FIXED BENEFIT, as the Court described in its Strunk ruling. Be persistent. PERS is in contempt of court if they refuse to give you your withheld COLA and the withheld benefits resulting therefrom. Consider appealing their decision. The settlement is a different issue. Insist on clear and informative answers. Don't settle for "we'll get back to you when we know more". PERS knows everything right now. They've had almost 17 months to figure out the settlement and 5 months to deal with Strunk. There's no mystery. Write, phone, email, visit the PERS offices. Make your presence known and felt. There are at least 34,000 retirees affected by Strunk, Lipscomb, and the settlement. That is a powerful force to unleash on one agency at one time. We need to make certain that PERS understands that we will not go gently or quietly into the night.
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