My Cushy Taxpayer-Supported Life

After 34 years of teaching sociology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, I recently retired at age 64 at 80 percent of my pay for life, thanks to Illinois taxpayers. This calculation was based on a salary spiked by summer teaching, and since I no longer pay into the retirement fund, I now receive significantly more than when I â??worked.â? But thatâ??s not all: Thereâ??s a generous health insurance plan, a guaranteed 3 percent annual cost of living increase, and a few other perquisites. Having overinvested in my retirement annuity, I received a fat refund andâ??when it rains, it poursâ??another for unused sick leave.