Public Pension Plans: Laboratories of Democracy

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects states’ prerogative to design and implement public policies that address each state’s unique demographics, political culture, and fiscal constructs.

In the area of retirement benefits for employees of state and local government, the Tenth Amendment also applies to state governments seeking to meet the unique needs and objectives of their stakeholders–the governmental bodies and the public employees within that state. 

Will Public Pensions Run Out of Money?

A recent issue brief published by the Center for Retirement Research (CRR) at Boston College, “How Would GASB Proposals Affect Public Pension Funding Levels?,” has created some stir – and is being cited – for its inclusion of the “run-out dates” for 126 public pension plans.