<p>For many Americans, post-retirement benefits—principally pensions and health care—for state government employees is an obscure topic. But because of how they can affect state budgets, these benefits have become an issue of critical importance.</p> http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room.aspx It might come as a surprise to some, given the drumbeat of reports about underfunded public pensions, that a number of states and localities boast retirement systems that consistently perform well: In North Carolina and Milwaukee, for example, policymakers paid their pension bills when they came due and raised benefits only after determining how to pay for them. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:50:00 GMT http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=85899483580&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=Pensions and Retiree Benefits&WT.rss_a=When Local Governments' Pensions Are Beyond Their Control&WT.z_contenttype=OpinionEditorial <p>States continue to lose ground in their efforts to cover the long-term costs of their employees’ pensions and retiree health care, according to a new analysis by the Pew Center on the States, due to continued investment losses from the financial crisis of 2008 and states’ inability to set aside enough each year to adequately fund their retirement promises.</p> Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:00:00 GMT http://www.pewtrusts.org/our_work_report_detail.aspx?id=85899398866&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=Pensions and Retiree Benefits&WT.rss_a=The Widening Gap Update&WT.z_contenttype=Report <p>The gap between the promises states have made for public employees’ retirement benefits and the money they have set aside grew to at least $1.38 trillion in fiscal year 2010, resulting in a nine percent increase in one year, according to a new report released by the Pew Center on the States.</p> Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:00:00 GMT http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=85899398828&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=Pensions and Retiree Benefits&WT.rss_a=Pew Study Finds Shortfall in States' Retirement Systems Has Grown to at Least $1.38 Trillion&WT.z_contenttype=PressRelease <p>Faced with rising pension costs, Rhode Island passed changes to its public sector retirement system that go further than the reforms of any other state. In a new infographic, the Pew Center on the States explains the challenges the state faces, and looks at how the new law would affect workers as well as the state’s bottom line.</p> Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:55:00 GMT http://www.pewtrusts.org/our_work_report_detail.aspx?id=85899366789&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=Pensions and Retiree Benefits&WT.rss_a=Rhode Island Overhauls Public Pensions&WT.z_contenttype=Report <p>An NPR story on the dreary state of Rhode Island's pension system quotes Kil Huh, director of research at the Pew Center on the States.<br /></p> Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:15:00 GMT http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=85899366531&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=Pensions and Retiree Benefits&WT.rss_a=Rhode Island Struggles With Pension Overhaul&WT.z_contenttype=NewsArticle <p>Faced with rising pension costs, Rhode Island is contemplating reforms to its public sector retirement system that go further than what any other state is currently considering. The proposed plan would be unprecedented, both in terms of the employees it would affect and the scope and scale of changes to their benefits. Advocates of the plan claim it is needed to curb expanding costs that, left unaddressed, could have severe impacts on state finances and taxpayers. Opponents, including unions, claim the measures go too far and put workers’ retirement security at risk.</p> Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:47:33 GMT http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=85899366047&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=Pensions and Retiree Benefits&WT.rss_a=Rhode Island Plan Proposes New Approach to States' Pension Woes&WT.z_contenttype=FactSheet <p>Kil Huh, research director for the Pew Center on the States discussed issues facing states in light of the pension funding crisis.</p> Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:50:00 GMT http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=85899363926&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=Pensions and Retiree Benefits&WT.rss_a=Rhode Island Lawmakers Hear Pension Reform Options&WT.z_contenttype=NewsArticle <p>This NBC Nightly News report with Ron Allen on the massive debt that is crushing the smallest city in the country's smallest state features an interview with Sue Urahn, Managing Director of the Pew Center on the States.</p> Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:30:00 GMT http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=85899362817&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=Pensions and Retiree Benefits&WT.rss_a=Video: Central Falls, RI Files for Bankruptcy&WT.z_contenttype=PewInTheMedia <p>Pew Center on the States’ paper on the federal debt ceiling and state/local budgets are the focus of a Politico article that quotes Pew Center on the States research director Kil Huh.</p> Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:10:00 GMT http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=85899362058&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=Pensions and Retiree Benefits&WT.rss_a=Pew: Default Would Hit Capital Projects&WT.z_contenttype=NewsArticle Terms and Conditions Page http://www.pewtrusts.org/terms_and_conditions.aspx