Pension Reform

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Pension reform efforts have been making headlines recently as state and local governments have been scrutinizing expenses to make ends meet in the recession. High-profile debates in Wisconsin, New Jersey and elsewhere in 2011 renewed attention on government employee retirement benefits and salaries. For several years, states and local governments have been adjusting their employee benefit plans to eliminate pensions.

American City & County covers pension reform news as it relates to states and local governments in the United States.

Title fight

Pension warfare

Editor's Viewpoint: It's all over except for the shouting

Jul 22, 2016

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American City and County

Philadelphia, largest municipal workers' union sign new workers' contract

Philadelphia and its largest public labor union have signed a four year labor contract that guarantees increased wages and better pensions for municipal workers....More
Jul 16, 2014

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American City and County

Public employees not prepared for retirement

As retirement budgets become tighter, public employees aren’t realizing that benefit packages alone will not keep them financially solvent....More
May 7, 2014

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American City and County

Pension problems

The Urban Institute ranked over 600 public pension plans across the country, and the outlook for government employees, especially those entering the workforce, is bleak....More
Apr 7, 2014

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American City and County

‘Trend Gap’ demonstrates state and local governments' growing insolvency

Spending on pensions and other benefits must be reined in for local and state governments to remain financially sustainable....More
Mar 12, 2014

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American City and County

GASB releases pension reporting toolkit

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board has released an online pension implementation toolkit to help preparers, auditors and users of state and local government financial reports understand and apply the groups revised accounting and financial reporting standards for pensions....More
Mar 10, 2014

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American City and County

Moody’s downgrades Chicago’s creditworthiness

Due to growing problems with the city’s pension funds, Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded Chicago's credit rating....More
Feb 25, 2014

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American City and County

Blowing up the benefits package

Without the financial ability to deliver on benefit promises made to employees, local and state governments are changing the rules of the game....More
Nov 4, 2013

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American City and County

Are pensions to blame for financial woes?

Pensions are an easy target for leaders looking to explain financial shortcomings; however, a new study suggests pensions rarely take up a significant percentage of municipal funding....More
Jul 15, 2013

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American City and County

Illinois governor suspends salary of state legislature 1

In an attempt to force comprehensive pension reform in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn resorted to drastic measures. Quinn removed the salaries of the Illinois General Assembly from the budget bill, effectively withholding the legislature's paychecks until the pension problem is resolved....More
Feb 19, 2013

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American City and County

Putting pension to the vote

While some governments have sought to reduce their pension costs through reductions in benefits for future employees, San Jose, Calif., voters adopted a ballot measure in June 2012 that trimmed pension plan provisions for current employees....More