text: This is the problem with how most people view PERS.  Instead of thinking about the average PERS retiree who receives about $29k in annual benefits, they focus on the few outliers who receive very large payments.  Of course news media like the Oregonian and the RG fan the flames.  
  
  Having said that, I completely disagree that the football coaches and physicians don't deserve their PERS retirement income.  They were public sector employees, albeit very highly skilled and specialized ones who were compensated accordingly.  They earned their retirement benefits just like the teachers.  
  
  Envy is such an unattractive human trait and we have a letter writer who exemplifies it.