Posted on 12/16/2011 9:58:43 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Yes, hes still governor. Hes retired only for benefits purposes, which means he can start collecting his pension while hes still collecting a salary. Its perfectly legal. Just unhelpful.
Perry makes a $150,000 annual gross salary as Texas govenor. Now, thanks to his early retirement, Perry, 61, gets a monthly retirement annuity of $7,698 before taxes, or $6,588 net. That raises his gross annual salary to more than $240,000
[T]he disclosure is sure to spark criticism of Perry, who has called for sweeping changes to Social Security for average workers and has railed against special perks that members of Congress get.
Perry was legally able to begin collecting the employee class annuity under the rule of 80. The combination of his U.S. military service, state service and age exceeded 80 years and qualifies him for the annuity under Texas Government Code 813.503 as amended in 1991, Sullivan said. Perry continues to pay into the Employees Retirement System with a 6.5 percent withholding from his state salary.
I do advocate totally rethinking the safety net, personal security programs completely, Perry said in a November 2010 interview. Why is the government collecting your tax money for retirement and health care programs? Thats not a stated constitutional role.
He retired back in January, months before he decided to run for president. Had he known he was going to jump in and take withering fire from Romney on his entitlements rhetoric, I assume hed have waited to start collecting. But it is what it is, and itll be thrown in his face every time the subject of Medicare or Social Security reform comes up. I dont blame him for his logic: He paid in, he worked hard, he followed the rules, and now he wants his money. Problem is, thats the same attitude seniors take towards federal entitlements, and if Perry beats Obama, hell suddenly be the guy tasked with convincing them to relax that attitude a bit in the name of our common fiscal good. How does he rally them to take one for the team and wait until, say, age 68 to enroll in Medicare if he couldnt wait until finishing his term as governor to start taking his own pension? When I tweeted that a few hours ago, Perry fans jumped on me by answering that Democrats will smear him and attack the GOP viciously no matter what. Which is true, but how does that mitigate the potential damage here? An enemy armed with artillery is more dangerous than an enemy armed only with rifles, and this represents a bit of artillery for them insofar as theyll use it to try to galvanize resentment against Perrys supposed hypocrisy. Why do you think Gingrich couldnt resist digging at Romneys track record at Bain? Voters remember details to which they can relate personally, like pensions and layoffs. Its not a liability thatll sink Perry, but yeah, itll be used against him. Texas Democrats are already using it, in fact.
Exit question via Aces co-blogger Drew: You think Chis Chistie might show up at a few events to talk about Perrys pensions?
(VIDEO AT LINK)
No, they are not.
/johnny
Not a soul has argued that it is illegal, but Perrywinkles are coming on here posting lie after lie to try to deny what it is. The blatant misinformation is not helping their cause.
Well said.
(You beat me to the punch, lol).
I am actually not a Perrywinkle. Today, I am a Newtbot, but that could change.
I really don’t like incorrect information on any candidate.
What do you feel is blatant misinformation on this thread?
Why?
It's a 401(k) and 457 investment program.
Not a guaranteed retirement payout.
That's not blatant misinformation. That's the facts.
/johnny
The way I understand this pension system is someone could work ten years for the government and draw a pension when they hit 70. Nice.
None of my dogs are in this fight... Sigh...
I'm not happy with any of the contenders, but Perry is good enough, and this doesn't change anything.
My first choice was damaged by the media and GOP. My second choice has been dead for a while and has already served a couple of terms.
I do hate the media for their lies. And the GOP fanatics that believe the media, and don't mock it.
I just want a conservative and get the government the hell off my back.
/johnny
Actually, it isn’t as cushy as it sounds.
Most lower level state employees work for benefits and make jack squat for a living. If they go the “10 year” limit and no further, their pension is minute.
Upper level employees do a little better, but not much.
It is easier, if you can, to work in the public sector...if you can..and stash your own retirement.
I hear ya!
I despise the media and the entrenched GOP elites.
I could vote for Rick. He has some great values. I would vote for any of the current (well, nearly) of the current field over Obama.
[BTW, you are a very good debater.]
The honor bestowed by Texas,toward its military veterans is not a topic to be sullied by cheap and infantile propaganda.
The sons and daughters of Texas,that have honorably served in the United States military,are given retirement points for their service to the nation.
I didn’t see Gov{Captain}Perry seek a student deferment as some of the other contenders have , and I don’t recall it ever being fashionable to assassinate someones character because they were a veteran , unless of course you are from the other side.
I have been a follower for many,many years of Free Republic and the often slack jaw, inappropriate and damn right insulting half truths and subjective innuendo are sometimes a bit too cannibalistic,unless of course,you are from the other side,and do indeed,”eat your own”.
The Soviets at one time spent twenty five percent of their defense budget on propaganda directed toward the citizens of this great nation and it has taken a toll on many....I aint buyin it,so go peddle your wares elsewhere.
God Bless the Great Republic of Texas, and God Bless our Veterans that have won their meager benefits. “Tighten Up”
That's not blatant misinformation. That's the facts.
Your wrong. The 401K and 457 plans are optional tax deferred plans. The ERS is a mandatory defined plan. Looks to me like they also pay into social security. The info is in the employee manual which is somewhat hidden..
Did he specifically request it?
You have to request it along with your years of service.
AMEN!!
By the way I am one of those Perry "haters" who has never voted for him and think he would be a RINO of the worst sort.
That upstate school for special needs farmers called Clemson is as much an embarrassment to our state as Lindsey Graham.
Know why the Tigers wear orange?
They can go to the game on Saturday,
Go huntin’ on Sunday,
and then pick up trash on the side of the roads the rest of the week.
Hawhoo! I knew this would be a **** storm!
I expect Newt and the rest will forgo their savings and work benefits to prove that they are pious conservatives?
This stuff is ridiculous, there is not a soul on this board that would not take what was owed to them.
Texas is not Bankrupt.
We are thriving.
I find it amazing how everyone is concerned with giving Perry an anal probe.
I thought he was a nobody loser from Texas without a chance.
Why is everybody focused on this no threat?
The answer is that everybody knows he is a contender.
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