THE ISSUE: Mayor Bloomberg’s call for Albany to reform the public-pension-fund system.

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With greater job security and equal or greater salaries than those in the private sector, it is about time that public workers, particularly those who are unionized, bite the bullet regarding early and out-of-the-ordinary pensions (“Devil’s in the Details,” E.J. McMahon, PostOpinion, Jan. 21).

Workers in the private sector do not retire with full benefits at 55, nor do they receive upwards of 60 percent of their final salaries.

Given state and local budgetary woes, public workers should face reality and realize that they are not a privileged class.

Nelson Marans

Silver Spring, Md.

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If the mayor wants to start cutting back on pensions and benefits, he should start with those of councilmen, assemblymen and other state politicians.

They get full pensions, not to mention what they might also be earning for their other jobs. And how many other pensions are some dipping into?

Sam Lumia

Whitestone

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I challenge The Post to back up its assertions that the annual Police/Fire VSF (Variable Supplement Fund) payment is anything other than a negotiated benefit its members have earned.

The fund is not a Christmas club.

Fred Carroll

Seaford

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I have a crazy idea to help Mayor Bloomberg manage the budget.

Instead of trying to figure out ways to cut into struggling city workers’ pensions and salaries, he should stop pandering to illegals and deny them medical coverage, education and other city services.

This might even leave the city with excess funds.

Patrick Perry

Staten Island