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About 98% of my “pension” will be funded by my personal savings. No half by public funds. No public funds have paid for my health, dental, or vision insurance over 40-some years, either.

Have never gotten any “cost of living” raises or raises based on “time in service”, “market adjustments” or additional degree hours.

I have never worked anywhere that didn’t expect me to show up for work for about 240 days per year, after holidays and “vacation”.

I hope and pray that I am not asked to pay more propping up the “underfunded public employee pension plans”, or I will be living in a refrigerator box under a bridge.

No public funds have paid for my health, dental, or vision insurance over 40-some years, either.

My school district’s taxpayers did pay for health & dental insurance (but not vision) for most of my career. They did not however pay for my wife’s. That came out of my pocket. I was only paid for the 180 days that I was at work. When I was first employed, I was allowed the option of receiving 9 paychecks for 9 months, but because teachers aren’t necessarily great budgeters, an option was offered that the same sum could be distributed over 12 checks. This option became mandatory when districts realized that they could pocket the interest that spreading out the payments earned them.

I did (but not always) get a bump up in salary for time served, but finally reached the top of the salary schedule and got no more raises. I could have made more had I pursued a master’s degree, but I saw no improvement the teaching abilities of those did.

I too, hope you aren’t “asked” (they won’t ask, they’ll demand) to pay more to prop up failing pensions plans. My hope is both selfish and altruistic. Some states are in big messes. Illinois, about 5 miles from me is one.