Michael Struck's widow to receive $191 month pension; donate to children's education fund

An item in Politics in Minnesota's Morning Report stopped me short. In Widow of MnDOT employee who died on the job gets paltry pension benefit, readers find out just how paltry that sum is:

A monthly pension benefit that’s less than $200 for Michael Struck’s widow is generating concerns at the Capitol.

Struck, who was a Minnesota Department of Transportation employee, died in a March 22 accident while operating a backhoe. He was swept into a stream while doing flood-mitigation work at Seven Mile Creek County Park between St. Peter and Mankato.

The actuarial calculation in state law means that Struck’s widow will get $191 a month, according to Minnesota State Retirement System Executive Director Dave Bergstrom.

Struck, 39, of Cleveland, had worked for the state for about eight-and-a-half years. In addition to years of service, the actuarial process is based on the deceased age from age 65.

Policy issues in response to the tragedy could include considering a minimum death benefit for workers similar to Struck. By contrast, the widow of a state patrol officer who is killed in the line of duty receives 50 percent of final salary.

Right now it seems tasteless to this hick blogger--given my uncouth country manners--to delve into the political ironies of this situation.

Instead of just lamenting the pittance, Bluestem's readers who can afford it should send a donation to a fund set up by Struck's co-workers to help educate his small children, Kaylee, 6 and Gavin, 4:

Mike Struck Memorial Fund
c/o Nicollet County Bank
220 South Third Street
St. Peter, MN 56082

Consider also contacting your state legislators and ask them to put the survivors of other state workers killed responding to emergencies on an equal footing with those of Highway Patrol officers.

As has been widely reported, Struck was one of those guys who gave a lot back to the community--as a volunteer firefighter--as well as being the sort of co-worker who always pitched in. Help his kids out.

Comments

[Phoenix Woman]

Consider the word put out for the Struck family. To lose first an uncle/brother-in-law and then their father/husband in the space of two weeks is just horrifying.