KANSAS – Taxpayers United of America has released the top pension estimates for Kansas government teachers and employees. “We are shedding light at last, on the problems with Kansas’ government pension system,” said Christina Tobin, Vice President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA), and founder and President of Free and Equal Elections. “Minimal reform has occurred in Kansas as legislators consider measures that do little to actually solve the problem. Much more pressure is needed from taxpayers,” she said.
“Kansas’ government pension system desperately needs reform. Releasing the specific names and pension amounts would show who’s really benefitting,” said Tobin. “But Kansas refuses to release actual individual pension payments and that really raises questions when estimates range to nearly $8 million. So, why won’t the Governor let Kansans see the facts?”
“There is no fair representation of taxpayers. This is a nationwide problem that burdens the Left and Right alike, and has fueled the financial crisis facing taxpayers and retirees. The urgency of this crisis is illustrated by the extensive press coverage that our government pension reports have received throughout Kansas.”
Tobin, who toured through Kansas towns revealing top government pension estimates to the public, received coverage from KSN News Wichita, KWCH 12 Eyewitness News, Salina Journal News, KSALLink.com, Wichita Business Journal, Kansas City Business Journal, and Fox 4 Kansas City.
TUA will be exploring all options to get the information still being withheld by the government bureaucrats of Kansas, released. “I have written letters to Governor Brownback and the members of the Kansas Legislature, asking for transparency. As long as taxpayers feel the pain of the hefty bill for these pensions, those payments should be available for public review.” Tobin plans to work with legislators but does not exclude the possibility of filing a lawsuit to obtain the information.
TUA will be revealing more States’ pensions across the nation, including those of Pennsylvania, New York, and Arizona in the coming weeks.
WICHITA—Taxpayers United of America (TUA) today revealed government wages and pension estimates for Wichita and Sedgwick County. Kansas government employees are not only receiving generous salaries, but when retired, many will become pension millionaires. Kansas officials refused to release pension figures, so the pension payouts are close estimates* for this report.
“What are Kansas lawmakers hiding? Are they more concerned with protecting abusers, than reforming a system that holds taxpayers hostage?” asked Christina Tobin, TUA Vice President. “The public, who voted them into office, have a right to know how their tax dollars are spent!”
“I have hand delivered letters to Gov. Brownback and each member of the Kansas Legislature, asking for transparency regarding individual pension amounts, as well as meaningful pension reforms that will be both fair and sustainable.”
“Private sector taxpayers are struggling in the ‘Great Recession,’ with an average income of $42,000. The unemployment/underemployment rate (U6) is 15.1%. The maximum Social Security annual payout is $22,000, regardless of how much one may have earned in their working career.”
Click the links below to view the estimated pensions and the letter to the governor and legislature.
SALINA— Taxpayers United of America (TUA) today revealed government employee wages and pension estimates for Salina and Saline County. Kansas’ government employees are not only receiving generous salaries, but when retired, many will become pension millionaires. Kansas officials refused to release pension figures, so the pension payouts are close estimates* for this report.
“Why are Kansas lawmakers hiding their pension information? Are they more concerned with protecting abusers, than reforming a system that holds taxpayers hostage?” asked Christina Tobin, TUA Vice President.
“Yesterday, I hand delivered letters to Gov. Brownback and each member of the Kansas Legislature, asking for transparency regarding individual pension amounts, as well as meaningful pension reforms that will be both fair and sustainable.”
“Taxpayers struggle through this recession with an average income of $33,000 while government employees really rake it in with as many as 30 years of retirement benefits. The maximum Social Security annual payout is $22,000, regardless of how much one may have earned in their working career.”
“Salina Police chief, James D. Hill can look forward to an estimated lifetime pension payout of $2,878,529, that is $95,951 annually, based on his current gross of $119,939.”*
“Salina government teacher, Roanne D. Stein had annual gross wages of $74,016 and looks forward to an estimated annual pension starting at $45,335 with an estimated lifetime payout of $1,088,032.”*
“Saline County Engineer, Neil D. Cable had annual gross wages of $102,490. Cable will enjoy $1,506,608 in estimated lifetime pension payouts or at least $62,775 annually.”*
“Saline County Sheriff, Glen F. Kochanowski grossed $85,054 annually and stands to receive an estimated beginning pension of $68,043 with a lifetime estimated pension payout of $2,041,290.”*
“Kansas government pension systems are making millionaires out of public employees at taxpayer expense. Ending pensions for all new government hires and replacing with social security and 401(k)s would eventually eliminate unfunded government pensions. If current government employees would increase contributions toward their pensions, taxpayers would save billions of dollars.”
“According to the Kansas Policy Institute’s report of March, 2011, A Comprehensive Reform of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, ‘Kansas must enact pension reform quickly to ensure the future viability of the system and to prevent catastrophic funding shortfalls in the near future’.”
“This is a time for the political courage to do what’s in the best interest of taxpayers, rather than the special interests. Let’s knock any politician out of office, who cuts bad deals with union bosses and corporations! Republican or Democrat, what’s the difference with numbers like these?”
*1. Est. Begin pensions 35 years except P&F at 32 years 2. Retirement age 62 except P&F at age 55. 3. No COLA 4. NO SS for P&F.
Click the links below to view the estimated pensions and the letter to the governor and legislature:
Salina KS Government Employees
Salina KS Government Teachers
Saline County KS Government Employees
Kansas State Judges
University of Kansas Government Employees
Kansas State Government Employees
Letter to Governor
Letter to Legislature
