CNN.com
DETROIT — For nearly 30 years, Larry Newberry risked his life to put out fires in Detroit.
Now, the city could slash the pension he depends on as it seeks to shed its debts throughbankruptcy. Newberry, 65, said he responded to at least three to four blazes a day as building and car fires ravaged the city. He suffered several injuries that led to his needing hand reconstruction and knee and hip replacements. After he retired in 1994, he worked for Proctor & Gamble as a retail merchandiser, but now can no longer hold down a job.
The Traverse City, Mich., resident lives on his $34,000 annual pension, which is subject to federal and state taxes, and a $200-a-month Social Security payment. Since Detroit firefighters didn’t participate in Social Security, his federal check is based only on his time in the private sector.
Full story: Retired Detroit firefighter: “My pension is what I was promised”