It must be phone scam week, since yesterday we got the "IRS" phone calls from the Philippines, judging by "Agent Smith's" heavy accent. Of course I laughed and hung up, since any-semi sentient person should be aware by now that the IRS never calls, they will write if they need to contact you.
Moving on to today, my wife and I each received cell phone calls today (unsolicited) from a group calling themselves the "American Police Officer's Alliance". After telling the man to have a nice day, I looked them, up (or tried to) on Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and the BBB "wise giving" listing. None of these lists this organization, but what was clear was that these are third party "professional" solicitors, getting paid as much as 80% of donations they scam up. This would be consistent, unfortunately with the majority of "Law Enforcement, or related" so called charities, the vast bulk of which have miserable ratios of funds solicited to funds applied. As a retired teacher, also a public employee, I am saddened by the thought that people are susceptible to scams of this sort.
What is also troubling is the consideration that any Law Enforcement charities are even in existence or need to be, and here's why. A teacher can retire (in the county in which I taught) after either 30 years or at age 62. A 30 year retiree (under the system in which I worked) would retire with an annual (and taxable) pension equivalent to 48% of their "high five" earning years. A law enforcement officer, if he chose would retire at a yearly 75% of his high five in 30 years! For the math impaired, that's half again as much money.
Forget the "relative difficulty" bullshit. Each is retiring alive and well, and in the case of the former LEO almost certainly with better benefits. As a former 26 year member of the Submarine Force who spent 38 months of his life underwater, I receive no more retirement based on hazardous duty than any other service member. In fact many senior law enforcement personnel, simply retire at the 20 year point and (as they are allowed to) go to a force in another bargaining unit, and work another 15 or 20 years, pulling down large chunks of money. If the LEO, however, was unfortunate enough to have any line of duty residual disability or limitation, he (depending on the unit) will almost certainly get either more money or tax waiver. A teacher retiring will have to, especially if retiring on 30 years at, say, age 55, provide for healthcare coverage for another 10 years.
This is not to say LEOs are overpaid, because they aren't, and they do us a valuable service, or at least the vast majority do. But, they also have powerful bargaining units, in most cases, and great benefits compared to most other public employees. Now the question: When was the last time a retired teacher (or anyone purporting to represent teachers) cold called you to ask for donations?
What is also troubling is the consideration that any Law Enforcement charities are even in existence or need to be, and here's why. A teacher can retire (in the county in which I taught) after either 30 years or at age 62. A 30 year retiree (under the system in which I worked) would retire with an annual (and taxable) pension equivalent to 48% of their "high five" earning years. A law enforcement officer, if he chose would retire at a yearly 75% of his high five in 30 years! For the math impaired, that's half again as much money.
Forget the "relative difficulty" bullshit. Each is retiring alive and well, and in the case of the former LEO almost certainly with better benefits. As a former 26 year member of the Submarine Force who spent 38 months of his life underwater, I receive no more retirement based on hazardous duty than any other service member. In fact many senior law enforcement personnel, simply retire at the 20 year point and (as they are allowed to) go to a force in another bargaining unit, and work another 15 or 20 years, pulling down large chunks of money. If the LEO, however, was unfortunate enough to have any line of duty residual disability or limitation, he (depending on the unit) will almost certainly get either more money or tax waiver. A teacher retiring will have to, especially if retiring on 30 years at, say, age 55, provide for healthcare coverage for another 10 years.
This is not to say LEOs are overpaid, because they aren't, and they do us a valuable service, or at least the vast majority do. But, they also have powerful bargaining units, in most cases, and great benefits compared to most other public employees. Now the question: When was the last time a retired teacher (or anyone purporting to represent teachers) cold called you to ask for donations?
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