Joseph B. Filko and I taught economics at State High, and he knows I do not want Paul Ryan punching anybody’s ticket.

As a retired teacher, I am a part of the PSERS retirement system, which provides me with a defined benefit pension. Fiscal conservatives are working to eliminate these types of pensions, claiming it saves money and gives individuals greater control over their retirement.

These new approaches are similar to 401(k) retirement plans or what are often called defined contribution plans. The payout is dependent on the success of the investment.

In recent years, many of us have read or heard about people who had planned on retirement but lost most or all of their money. Now many of these people have to put off retirement for years. And some even say they see no end to their working years.

Filko admits that the Romney-Ryan team will reform Social Security for future retirees and that that reformed system will most likely be a defined contribution system.

So, if I were 55 or younger and on the “rails” to retirement, I surely would not want either Romney or Ryan as the conductor of that train. Likewise, the “Romney Limited” will just be moving forward.

However, a recent study by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service found that over the past 65 years, tax cuts for the rich have been linked to income inequality, but not economic growth. So clearly, Romney and Ryan are not the conductors for a prosperous America.

Ted Wentz Pennsylvania Furnace