In the article on the New York State pension fund dropping $44 billion, The News made reference to a hike in property taxes for the already overburdened property owners. My first suggestion would be to ask all of the pension recipients to pay their fair share of state income taxes. Currently, most public retirees are exempt from paying state income taxes. Their retirement benefits exceed those of most private retirees, and we are already paying for those pensions.

Why are public employees eligible for benefits as early as age 55? Most of us have to wait until we are 62 or 65. I only ask for their pensions and benefits to be equitable to those of us who retire on far less. We have all lost in the stock market and don’t expect others to make up for our losses. Neither should public employees. Contracts have to be modified and renegotiated in order for the taxpayer in this state to survive.

James Comerford

Lewiston