On Pensions, McCaskill Tells Missouri Retirees: ‘I won’t stop fighting for you’

Retired Missouri truck drivers and their families met with U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today to discuss her efforts to protect pension promises made to more than 32,000 Missourians and protecting them from the potential collapse of the Central States Pension Plan. “Thousands of Missourians were promised that after decades of working hard, playing by the rules, and paying into their pension, they would be able to retire with dignity,” McCaskill said. “Now, through no fault of their own, they’re facing drastic cuts, breaking the promises made to them. That’s just wrong, and I won’t fighting for these Missourians to get the pensions they earned.” Cynthia McDaniel of Appleton City, Mo., Connie Marascuilo of Kansas City, Mo., and John Carey, of Kansas City, Mo. were among those meeting with McCaskill to discuss how cuts to their promised pensions would impact their lives. Mrs. McDaniel also attended a meeting with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin earlier this year, after McCaskill requested Secretary Mnuchin meet with affected Missourians. Mrs. McDaniel’s husband drove trucks for 40 years, the majority of which was with Consolidated Freightways in Kansas City. Mrs. Marascuilo’s husband has been a truck driver for more than 30 years and is counting on his pension in retirement. Mr. Carey is a retired truck driver. McCaskill’s legislation, the Butch Lewis Act, would create a new office within the U.S. Treasury Department that would allow pension plans to borrow the money they need to remain solvent and continue providing retirement security for retirees and workers for decades to come, and all without cuts to pensions. McCaskill was the only member of the Missouri Congressional delegation to vote against legislation that allowed for deep cuts to retiree benefits for the more than 32,000 Missourians who participate in the Central States Pension Fund. Earlier this year, Missouri workers and retirees joined McCaskill for a roundtable discussion on the importance of protecting pension plans from deep cuts. McCaskill also hosted a February listening session with retirees to discuss the importance of guaranteeing pension benefits.