Oklahoma's teacher retirement plan in trouble

Two state lawmakers are giving the Oklahoma Teacher's Retirement Plan a failing grade. <br><br>The Tulsa Association of Professional Educators held an open forum Tuesday to discuss a new plan. Some

Wednesday, March 27th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Two state lawmakers are giving the Oklahoma Teacher's Retirement Plan a failing grade.

The Tulsa Association of Professional Educators held an open forum Tuesday to discuss a new plan. Some say it will fix a $5.6-billion problem with the state's pension plan.

Lawmakers say the retirement system is one of five worst in the country, leaving teachers with little hope for tomorrow. State Senator Scott Pruitt, "So we have teachers that are going to be retiring in the next few years that don't have the promise that their money is going to be there."

APOE's Ginger Tinney, "We want to be vocal, we want to make a suggestion to the legislature that this is how we'd like to see it fixed and we want the legislature to work for us."

State lawmakers say their Defined Contribution Plan would free up $67-million of revenue that could be earmarked for fully paid teacher health care.