I am a teacher, retired from the Iberia Parish school system. I draw a pension check that comes from the Louisiana Retired Teacher’s Association in Baton Rouge. My July check shows a 331⁄3 increase in my federal withholding tax. That reflects in a substantial decrease in the amount of my current and future checks.

I was able to reach the accounting department of the association by phone. I questioned the statement on the voucher my check is attached: “The federal government implemented additional tax rates as of July 1, 2009.” I asked what branch of the federal government can make such a ruling and was told it was the Internal Revenue Service.

So then I asked what the new rate is and was told, “It’s on a sliding scale.” I thought that was a rather vague answer. I then asked if workers in industry were affected by this ruling and she said no — nor are active teachers. My next question was if teachers all over the country were affected or just Louisiana and she said that it was Louisiana as far as she knows. I’m thinking — (Does the mighty IRS concern itself with one small state association?) Finally I asked who gave authority to make that ruling in Louisiana. The answer I got was — the teachers. As far as I know the teachers weren’t canvassed and had no say in the matter.

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If there was any publicity on this matter, I’m not aware of it. It seems to me that we, as teachers, are due a reasonable explanation as to why Louisiana retired teachers are discriminated against.

Mary Wood Sealy

New Iberia