Do salt water pools cause excessive corrosion to pool equipment and cause damage to plaster pools?

YES! Salt water DEFINITELY causes corrosion in your swimming pool. I am a 25 year pool professional and I have seen first hand what salt does to gunite pools. It will eat you pool equipment, stone, concrete, metal, you name it. Keeping your pH neutral will slow down the process of corrosion, but it is still happening, regardless of your water chemistry. Do yourself a favor, DO NOT use salt in your pool.