UC execs' demand for more benefits angers many

[alp227]

Gov.-elect Jerry Brown, state lawmakers and others minced few words Wednesday in condemning high-paid executives at the University of California who are threatening to sue UC unless it spends millions of dollars to increase their pensions.

"These executives seem very out of touch at a time when the state is contemplating billions of dollars in reductions that will affect people who are far less advantaged," Brown said.

Their demand comes as UC faces $21.6 billion in unfunded pension obligations and is reducing benefits for its workers.

UC President Mark Yudof opposes the increase, but withdrew a recommendation to block the boost to give the regents time "for further review," he said through a spokesman.

In a Dec. 9 letter to the regents, 36 executives from UC headquarters, UCSF, UC Berkeley and other campuses warned that they will sue unless the regents lift a $245,000 cap on how much salary can be considered when calculating pensions.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/29/BAH51H1GA1.DTL

[slackmaster]

1. They got their federal income tax break, but for some people there can never be enough largesse.

:argh:

[CountAllVotes]

2. boy is that ever the truth!

Just last night I was speaking with someone that is retired from there and decided that the pension is not enough and just filed for SSDI and got a huge retroactive check for a bad back! Enough is never enough for some people out there! Must be rough living on over $6K a month! :grr:

Now we know why there are problems with Social Security! This person has many legal connections and the claim went right through - no delays nor problems! :mad:

In the meantime, the paltry secretary or janitor that has worked for them for years might not get jack sh*t when they retire being UC has all of these unfunded pension liabilities. :(

[Hannah Bell]

6. Something weird about that story. If the man has a pension, then he's retired?

Then he would apply for Social Security, not Social Security disability -- unless he took early retirement due to a disability?

To qualify for benefits, you must first have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. Then you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability. In general, we pay monthly cash benefits to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability.

Benefits usually continue until you are able to work again on a regular basis.

If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same.

http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify.htm

Under the law, your payments cannot begin until you have been disabled for at least five full months. Payments usually start with your sixth month of disability.

Generally, your disability benefits will continue as long as your medical condition has not improved and you cannot work. Benefits will not necessarily continue indefinitely.


If the person makes more than $25K (individual) or $32K (joint), his benefits will be taxed.


There is nothing wrong with someone who has paid into the system collecting benefits he's legitimately owed. If you think he's committing fraud you should complain.

[dana_b]

3. I work for UC (for another 3 weeks anyway)

and am furious. To HELL with their agreement from 2007! They are cutting departments (like mine), going after pensions and forgoing raises for the peons but these exec. SOBs are making a crap load of $$ (on the California taxpayers back) and getting huge bonuses. Our CEO makes about $750,000 and the other chief officers make in the hundreds of thousands. They all got a 30% bonus last year while raising the student fees astronomically and denying the non unionized of us any raises. We are livid! :mad:

[kenfrequed]

4. Yudof is schmuck

Tuitions increased at the University of Minnesota double digit every year I went there and did so prior to my attendence and since I graduated.

He spent lots of money on facilities and courting corporate funding, negotiated poorly, increased the executive presence, and gutted the union. He was a whining Texas failure who demanded extra security for his residence, and was proud of the pictures of him and George W. Bush.

I would bet money he gives into their demands or pressures the state to do so.

[tularetom]

5. Just emailed the Cal Alumni Association

Told 'em not to expect any contributions from me ever if the university gives into this ridiculous demand.

If they have the money for frivolous bullshit like this they don't need any of mine.

[alp227]

7. update: UC Dean Christopher Edley defends pension demands

The effort to boost the pensions of the University of California's highest paid executives is about what's best for their families and the university's integrity, UC Berkeley Law School Dean Christopher Edley said Thursday.

Edley, a leader of the effort, brushed off criticism being heaped upon him and dozens of other University of California executives who are threatening to sue unless UC dramatically raises their pensions as they believe was promised by the regents years ago.

"I accept the criticism of me personally for insisting that UC stick to a promise that is financially important to my family," Edley told The Chronicle, offering the first public remarks by any of the executives since the paper broke the story earlier this week.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/30/BA861H22EA.DTL

HIS family? Not the UC students' families? What a selfish load of shhhhhhhhhh