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Only Tier I’s can retire at 55; most already have

    I’m one of your longtime readers, and an online subscriber. I normally applaud your editorial efforts, but why do you keep saying that state government employees can retire at 55 [June 2 Gazette]? That is simply not true.
    Tier I employees can retire at 55, but nearly all of them have been retired for years now. There are practically none left.
    I retired from state service three years ago, after 30 years of service, and I am Tier II. We Tier II folks cannot retire until 62, and there are hardly any of us left Thus, nearly all state workers already have 62 as their retirement age.
    I recognize that there is a pension problem, but you are consistently exaggerating the situation. Please get it right.

    JOHN L. “JAY” HOLCOMB
    Greenfi eld Center