My contribution to my “public” pension (superannuation fund) is over $100/week direct cheque-off. Every week, even out of my vacation pay.
Should my benefits be reduced even if the superann fund owes me the money?
Roughly the same for me (as I noted before, I am a public worker also).
My beef is not as a public worker. I'm looking at the bigger picture. Perhaps your state is more reasonable, but many folks in my state get back far more in retirement than their mandatory contributions (including interest) would warrant.
The difference is made up by the city, the school district, etc. Those entities are required to throw in more when the funds need more money. It is simply not sustainable.
By the way, I'm not criticizing any workers here. If an employer offers you the sky, you'd be crazy to decline it. What I'm saying is that the pension calculation process is faulty.