Mokita – A Useful Papuan Word

In the Papuan New Guinea language, mokita means "the truth we all know but agree not to talk about". This wisdom by a Stone Age people prompts an Oak Ridge question: Is the Oak Ridge mokita the depreciation of the DOE Contractor Pension Plan payments by failure to provide COLAs a forerunner of all government supported pensions? Or even broader, is it a forerunner of the government's accepted treatment of the elderly, setting an example for all of the corporate pension plans?

Anyone who would dismiss this question out-of-hand needs to examine the trends in both public and private benefits plans. The shift from 'defined benefits' to 'defined contributions' as well as the permitted reneging on pension plans passes the final responsible for elder compensation to the individual who may or may not be financially capable of responding to that challenge without a cultural change toward savings and related matters. The problem reminds one of the French claim: "The majestic impartiality of the French law which prohibits both the rich man and the poor man from sleeping under the bridge." I do not believe that the modern CEO with a salary of $10,000,000 and 'benefits' will have the same problems providing for his/her old age as a family of four just above the poverty level.

Returning to the immediate Oak Ridge pension problem; there are essentially no COLAS. Still, I could have done some thing about it had I known earlier when I was still employable and insurable. But I learned at the age of 84 "the Oak Ridge pension plan was never intended to be a 'cost-of-living adjustment' type of retirement plan" (Mr. Brumley 2006). I also learned at that time my generous pension (greater than 90% of my final salary; Mr. Erbschole, 2005) would include an undefined 'defined contribution' which I have trouble finding in the pension check! True, I found out in 1984 some wartime service on the Manhattan Project would not be allowed. Thank God social security gave me credit for the one cent per week I paid in 1936 for 'Old Age Benefits'.

I never saw the contract Mr. Stair has in mind in stating: "Our first priority must continue to be making sure all current and future retirees receive every dollar to which they are entitled." That about says it all, doesn't it?

So I was too trusting (when I was young), I believed the Federal government would take care of long-term contractor employees like they take care of DOE employees. Well I learn fast (only took 50 – 60 years), I'll never believe the 'your choice of explicative' again.

Well, there's no more mokita; we can now talk about the truth.