Rhode Island

‘This is their turn’: Advocates for RI retirees push for pension increases, tax relief

Published

9 months ago

April 25, 2024

‘This is their turn’: Advocates for RI retirees push for pension increases, tax relief

PROVIDENCE – Patricia Serpa, the longtime state lawmaker carrying the banner this year for the legion of retirees who want their annual pension increases back, tells of the advice her father gave her when she was just starting her teaching career.

In 1970, he advised her to turn down a teaching job offer that paid more and instead to take a job with a school district that might pay less in salary, but paid into Social Security on its employees’ behalf.

The 70-something Serpa calls it one of the best pieces of advice her father ever gave her because, unlike thousands of other retired teachers in Rhode Island who worked in school districts that did not pay into Social Security, she has a cushion.

She gets $3,182 a month from her state pension, roughly $2,000 a month from her late husband’s pension as a retired Providence firefighter, plus Social Security, which pays “more than my pension.”

While it is too late to secure Social Security for today’s out-of-luck retirees, Serpa, D-West Warwick, on Thursday appeared before the House Finance Committee to pitch her bill to require that all public school teachers hired starting July 1, 2024, participate in Social Security.

Retired public school teachers without Social Security

Social Security is financed through a dedicated payroll tax. Employers and employees each pay 6.2% of wages up to the taxable maximum ($168,600 in 2024), while the self-employed pay 12.4%.

Enrolling new teachers in Social Security may not be easily done, quickly, for legal and political reasons, but as Serpa noted, many of today’s retirees worked in municipalities where neither they nor their employeers contributed to Social Security. The list includes:

Barrington (teachers); Bristol (teachers and police); Burrillville (teachers, Harrisville and Pascoag fire); Central Falls (teachers, police and fire); Coventry (teachers and fire); Cranston (teachers, police and fire); Cumberland (teachers and fire); East Greenwich (teachers and fire); East Providence (teachers); Foster-Glocester (teachers); Hopkinton (Hope Valley, Wyoming fire, Hopkinton police); and Johnston (teachers).

James Parisi, the lobbyist for the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, said initial research indicates the legislature cannot mandate Social Security for new hires only, “but there are other ways to do it.

“Maybe the General Assembly can mandate all the non-Social Security districts to reconsider it. Maybe you can require everyone to be in, but allow people to opt out, which we think makes some sense … [for] a long-term teacher” who’d get little benefit.

The potential political obstacle? “We raised this issue when Gina Raimondo was talking about pensions in 2011, and no one wanted to touch it,” Parisi said.

“This is their turn”

Before the hours-long, multi-bill hearing was over, a spokesman for state General Treasurer James Diossa conveyed support – perhaps for the first time – for legislation that would provide Rhode Island’s retired teachers and state workers with a one-time “stipend” equal to 3% of their pension or $40,000, whichever is less.

Diossa spokesman Rob Craven said the treasurer supports this bill over others because the money for it would come from the state’s General Fund, not the pension fund.

Serpa laid the groundnwork for a hearing – on another day – on her newly filed – and very different – bill to provide retired state workers and teachers with a 3% “cost-of-living adjustment” aka COLA on their base pension in the budget year beginning July 1, and uncapped future increases in keeping with the Consumer Price Index.

While her bill came in too late to make Thursday’s House Finance meeting, the long agenda gave legislators and other advocates for retired and active public employees an hours-long opportunity to argue for various ways to reverse the cost-cutting moves that then-state Treas. Gina Raimondo urged – and state lawmakers, including Serpa – approved in 2011 to rein in the skyrocketing pension tab.

The cost cut that haunts today’s lawmakers most: the suspension of the annual COLAs that once paid up to 3% compounded annually to those who were once allowed to retire at any age after 28 years on the job.

Lawmakers placed some curbs on those offerings in the years leading up to the dramatic 2011 overhaul, but not enough to avert huge cost increases. The overhaul saved taxpayers an estimated $3 billion, but retirees say they took the hardest hit.

“This is the year to help the retirees. This is their turn,” Serpa said. “It’s not hyperbole, but I’ve heard of some retired teachers, some who’ve never paid into Social Security, some who don’t have the benefit of a husband’s pension or Social Security who are borderline homeless.”

“A couple of teachers I’ve heard from are eligible for food stamps. That’s sinful,” she said, making a case for taking an initial $30 million out of the $11-billion pension fund, and more later, as required, to give the retirees annual pension boosts.

Other bills concerning retirees in RI

The Rhode Island chapter of the AARP put its weight behind a bill seeking the total repeal of state income taxes on Social Security.

AARP Director Catherine Taylor made this pitch: “More than one in five Rhode Island residents – 230,018 people – receives Social Security benefits. Annual Social Security benefits to Rhode Islanders pump at least $4 billion into the state economy.”

In fall of 2023,” she said AARP RI surveyed 700 Rhode Islanders age 45. “When asked, the majority (89%) of residents say they agree that ‘Rhode Island lawmakers should repeal the state tax on Social Security.’ This sentiment is consistent regardless of age, gender or political party.”

“Over half (55%) of Rhode Island adults believe Social Security will be a major part of or their only source of their retirement income.”

Out of the 29% of Rhode Island residents age 45+ who have considered living in another state for retirement, or are still unsure about it, nearly three in five say they are more likely to stay in Rhode Island if the Social Security income tax is eliminated. In addition, the majority of Rhode Island adults age 45+ say it is extremely or very important to have adequate Social Security benefits available in the future (91%).

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 15, 2025

Published

3 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 15, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 15 drawing

08-41-52-53-58, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 15 drawing

19-31-33-36-46, Lucky Ball: 07

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 15 drawing

Midday: 7-1-5-9

Evening: 3-7-9-0

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 15 drawing

17-18-25-26-33, Extra: 16

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

Rubio aligns himself with Trump in confirmation hearing • Rhode Island Current

Published

11 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Rubio aligns himself with Trump in confirmation hearing • Rhode Island Current

Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to become secretary of state, found a mostly welcome reception Wednesday during his confirmation hearing. He aligned himself with Trump’s foreign policy positions while also keeping the skeptical tone toward many foreign nations that has been his calling card during his 14 years in the Senate.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Rubio called China a top threat to the United States and said the war in the Ukraine needs to come to an end. He echoed concerns about growing Chinese influence over the Panama Canal that Trump has voiced, saying it was not a new issue. Trump recently refused to rule out the use of military force when it comes to the fate of the Panama Canal.

“President Trump is not inventing this, this is something that’s existed now for at least a decade,” Rubio said, adding that China could turn the canal into a “choke point” because it controls port facilities at both ends.

Rubio, who is Cuban American, disagreed sharply with the decision announced this week by the Biden administration to remove Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism. After President Joe Biden took that action, the island nation announced it would release more than 500 prisoners.

Rubio would not commit to senators that the Trump administration would reinstate the terrorism designation, saying that decision would be up to Trump. But Rubio added that “nothing that was agreed to is irreversible and binding on the administration.”

Power clash

Rubio, who served as a state legislator and speaker of the Florida House before he ran for U.S. Senate, clashed loudly with Trump when both were running for president in 2016. But after Trump won the nomination, which included a thumping of Rubio soundly in the Florida primary, the two forged an alliance. Rubio emerged as an influential voice on foreign policy, especially as it came to countries in Latin America.

Rubio was reportedly on a short list to become Trump’s vice president, but reports at the time said that some Trump supporters were skeptical about Rubio noting — for example, that he did not object to the election results of 2020.

Rubio supports NATO

Rubio’s confirmation could come as soon as next week and even several Democrats on the committee expressed support for him.

It was during the hearing that news emerged that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire deal including a release of hostages.

Rubio defended Israel during his remarks and said that Hamas had used civilians as shields during the 15-month war. He defended the North American Treaty Organization even though Trump has been critical of the organization. Rubio insisted Trump supports NATO but said he agreed with the president-elect that European countries need to contribute more to help pay for their own defense.

Rubio said he still supports a law he co-sponsored that prevents any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without approval from Congress.

The hearing was briefly interrupted by protesters, with one person yelling at Rubio about “forever wars” while another protester could be heard speaking in Spanish about babies in Nicaragua and Cuba. “I get bilingual protesters,” Rubio quipped afterward.

DeSantis’ Senate pick

Rubio’s imminent departure from the Senate will give Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a chance to appoint someone to hold the seat until it comes up for election in 2026. DeSantis said this week that he had talked about the position with U.S. Reps. Kat Cammack and Cory Mills, but said he was unlikely to appoint someone now in the House because Republicans hold such a slim majority in the chamber.

Some media outlets have flagged Attorney General Ashley Moody as a top contender to replace Rubio.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: [email protected].

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Rhode Island

Taylor Swift is renovating her mansion in Westerly, R.I. These are the planned upgrades. – The Boston Globe

Published

19 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Taylor Swift is renovating her mansion in Westerly, R.I. These are the planned upgrades. – The Boston Globe

In all, the work is expected to cost $1.7 million, the records show.

A video posted on TikTok earlier this week showed workers at the home loading wood into an area of the home that was already under construction.

A few commenters offered guesses about what Swift may be doing with the extra space.

“She’s installing the Eras Tour stage, per my request,” quipped one.

Wrote another: “She’s finally getting my guest room ready!”

Property records show the 12,657-square-foot, 1904 mansion, which has sweeping views of the Block Island Sound and a private pool, already boasts seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

Swift snagged the mansion in 2013 for approximately $17.75 million – reportedly paying for the property in cash. Records show the home now has an assessed value of about $20.67 million.

Over the years, Swift has hosted numerous summer parties and getaways for her circle of celebrity friends at the home. She welcomed Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Bradley Cooper, and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, to name a few, this past summer.

Taylor Swift performs during “The Eras Tour” on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Lindsey Wasson/Associated Press

Swift has also given Holiday House her signature songwriting treatment.

For 2020’s “Folklore,” she penned, “The Last Great American Dynasty,” which details the home’s storied past with previous owner Rebekah Harkness, a mid-century heiress who married William Hale Harkness, a Standard Oil heir.

Not unlike Swift, Harkness was known for throwing lavish parties, sometimes drawing the ire of locals. It’s a comparison Swift – who faced some criticism herself, such as when she posted “No Tressing” signs around her property and some beach barricades after moving in – invites in the song.

“Fifty years is a long time/ Holiday House sat quietly on that beach/ Free of women with madness, their men and bad habits/ And then it was bought by me,” she sings. “Who knows, if I never showed up, what could’ve been/ There goes the loudest woman this town has ever seen/ I had a marvelous time ruining everything.”

Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com.

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