Robert Davis, in his May 6 letter, blames Governor Carcieri for forcing a large number of state workers into retirement, perhaps before they had planned to.

He has missed the point that many of these retirees are choosing to take this step to preserve their pension and other retirement benefits, including health care for life (some with minimum co-payments), and the continuing cost-of-living adjustments.

The collective wisdom and experience of these employees will certainly be missed but reinvention of the state operations is absolutely necessary because of our financial crisis. Too bad so many will remain part of the problem rather than be part of the solution to the state budget deficit and the state retirement system.

CATHERINE E. GRAZIANO

Providence