1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The proposal to cut federal employee retirement benefits is unacceptable and unfair to those who have dedicated years of service to the government. Changing pension and benefit rules midway through someone's career violates the understanding and commitment made when they accepted employment. Benefits are earned compensation, not gifts to be revoked at will. Federal workers plan their financial futures around promised retirement income and altering the terms undermines their ability to prepare adequately. This legislation constitutes a breach of the government's obligations to its workforce. I urge you to reject any efforts to reduce existing federal employees' hard-earned retirement benefits. Such actions would damage morale, make retaining talented personnel difficult, and violate principles of good faith between an employer and its workers.