Although taxpayer contributions to state pension plans have nearly doubled as a share of state revenue over the past decade, the plans still face a more than $1 trillion shortfall. If these benefits aren’t sustainably funded, the cost of paying for them could hinder states’ ability to fund core government services such as schools, public safety, and infrastructure.
Policymakers need better information—including successful models—to help develop financially sound retirement systems that protect taxpayers, maintain the government’s ability to deliver important public services, and put state and local workers on the path to a secure retirement.
But there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every city and state has a unique set of policy preferences and budgetary challenges, and will choose its own approach. Pew provides the nonpartisan, evidence-based data and analysis that policymakers need to ensure that public sector retirement systems are financially sound for current and future workers, retirees, and taxpayers.
![Wollongong, New South Wales Wollongong, New South Wales](/-/media/post-launch-images/2022/10/gettyimages1328785481jpgmaster/16x9_m.jpg?la=de&h=346&w=615&hash=6D36FAED589CD16D3B380F89DA4F7F91)
![Wollongong, New South Wales Wollongong, New South Wales](/-/media/post-launch-images/2022/10/gettyimages1328785481jpgmaster/1x1_s.jpg?la=de&h=615&w=615&hash=D0297B4606C77EB4B0BAC6F59D9BE15F)
Issue Brief
October 19, 2022
Stable Public Pension Funding Within Reach
![Arrows are seen embedded in a target during practice for the women's individual eliminations match on August 17, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, Greece. Arrows are seen embedded in a target during practice for the women's individual eliminations match on August 17, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, Greece.](/-/media/post-launch-images/2021/12/gettyimages51180386jpgmaster/16x9_m.jpg?la=de&h=346&w=615&hash=23DBDF412FB666237F7655B2520244D2)
![Arrows are seen embedded in a target during practice for the women's individual eliminations match on August 17, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, Greece. Arrows are seen embedded in a target during practice for the women's individual eliminations match on August 17, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, Greece.](/-/media/post-launch-images/2021/12/gettyimages51180386jpgmaster/1x1_s.jpg?la=de&h=615&w=615&hash=DC3F351BC4A57B234C9970A48A503755)
Issue Brief
December 10, 2021
Pew's Fiscal Sustainability Matrix Assess Pension Health
![Vermont State House Vermont State House](/-/media/post-launch-images/2021/12/gettyimages493446742jpgmaster/16x9_m.jpg?la=de&h=346&w=615&hash=8E1E81CC302C5B2A152613C8B69495E7)
![Vermont State House Vermont State House](/-/media/post-launch-images/2021/12/gettyimages493446742jpgmaster/1x1_s.jpg?la=de&h=615&w=615&hash=8F82A945062C5C9B4A000D5F280FC21C)
Article
December 17, 2021
Vermont Strengthens Governance of State Pensions
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Fact Sheet
May 18, 2021