http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Betsy/Where%20We%20Live%2004-24-2013.mp3
In 2010, the Pew Center on the States reported that a majority of states didn’t have enough available cash to pay for the pensions of their public sector workers...and Connecticut--along with Illinois, Kentucky, and Rhode Island were in the most trouble.
But, not all states fared so badly.
While Connecticut had assets to cover only 53% of its pension obligations in 2010, North Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin had assets to cover 95% of their pension obligations in the same year.
Some states have prioritized the funding of pensions for workers upon their retirement..but most, have not.
On the other hand, even with better funding, a lot of states wonder...can they afford to continue paying pension benefits to workers long retired...while cutting vital state services...like education?
Today, we’ll talk about the future of public pensions...We’ll look at how generous these benefits really are....and how states have underfunded the promises made long ago.
Leave your comments below, email us at wherewelive@wnpr.org, or tweet us @wherewelive
