Tag Archive for: pensions

MBTA retirement fund is headed for a financial reckoning

The new MBTA Retirement Fund Actuarial Valuation Report shows the fund is only about 51 percent funded. In 2006, it was 94 percent funded. A “death spiral” generally accelerates when retirement system funding dips below 50 percent.

New Report: Massachusetts Maintains Reasonable Debt Relative to GSP

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Massachusetts has more debt than any New England state. Can we afford to pay it off or will we hand it down to future generations?

The Massachusetts Retirement Credit Bonus Legislation: Missing the Mark While Costing Billions

Two identical bills to reward public employees with a retirement credit bonus for working during the COVID-19 emergency are currently pending in each chamber of the Massachusetts Legislature. The bills would add billions of dollars in liabilities to public pension funds and reward workers based on their compensation, years of service and age rather than the type or duration of the work performed during the emergency, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.

Pandemic Pension Payout: Essential COVID-19 Public Workers Rewarded Whether Essential or Working

Hubwonk host Joe Selvaggi talks with Pioneer Institute’s Director of Research and former Massachusetts Inspector General and State Representative Greg Sullivan about HB 2808, COVID-19 Essential Employee Retirement Credit Bonus, discussing the merits of the recently proposed joint bill, its cost, and our current public debt burden in the Commonwealth.

The Connection Between Property Taxes and Pension Funding

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A recent study from economist Evgenia Gorina, published in the…

MassOpenBooks: A look inside MassPort

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Every day, thousands of passengers pass through Logan Airport,…

Study Says State Unfunded Pension Liability Rising Despite Recent Reforms, Overall Strong Economy

More responsible assumptions about pension fund investment performance…

Can State Pensioners Pay for Future Medically Necessary Long-term Care?

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At some point many people find themselves needing help to care…

How Do Alternative Investments Stack up in State Pensions?

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There are numerous expert opinion on the proper investment strategy…

How You Can Audit Massachusetts’ Pension Boards

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Just recently Kathy Curran led an investigation into Massachusetts…

Op-ed: Neglect creates pension tsunami

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A version of this op-ed appeared in The Berkshire Eagle, The…

So you want to know something about pensions?

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Now anyone can become a local pension system expert...  A…

Study Estimates $27 Million In Savings Annually From Consolidation Of Public Pensions

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Local retirement systems generate heavy costs, larger fiduciary…

Study: Inefficient Public Pension Investment Costs Taxpayers About $100 Million A Year

Local systems forfeited some $2.9 billion over 30 years by not…

Comparing Retirement Benefits for MBTA and other State Employees

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Pioneer’s latest report, A $49 Million Sweetheart Deal: How…

A $49 Million Sweetheart Deal: MBTA Employee Sick Time Perk Enhances Pensions

Listen to the WRKO radio clip of Mary Connaughton interviewed…

Study: Massachusetts Public Pension Systems Unprepared for Next Recession

Actuarial assumption adjustments clarify which funds are troubled…

STUDY: MA Public Pension Systems Unprepared for Next Recession

Actuarial assumption adjustments clarify which funds are troubled…

Study: Public Pension Liabilities Are Undervalued by Tens of Billions of Dollars

Historical Market Performance of Asset Classes Held by Retirement…

Open Letter: Regarding Reform of the MBTA Retirement Fund

The past year has seen the MBTA Retirement Fund mired in scandals…

Worcester Telegram & Gazette: Avoid fate of the Land of Lincoln

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This op-ed appeared in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette…

Delaying the Funding of Public Pensions May Cost up to $26.4 Billion

State leaders’ 2010 decision to postpone the deadline for full funding of the state and teachers’ retirement systems from 2025 to 2040 may cost taxpayers up to $26.4 billion.

Have the MBTA’s Retirement Plans Gone Off the Rails?

Study Finds Lack of Transparency and Chronic Underfunding Among…

Introducing MassPensions.com – New Site Rates MA’s 100+ Pension Systems

User-Friendly Online Tool Provides Easily Accessible Data, Rates…

Worcester Telegram & Gazette: Pension speed limits needed

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Public retirement funds’ managers should embrace new reforms designed to minimize risk during this period of continued market volatility.

Improving the Bay State’s Public Pension Fund Investment Policies

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While current policies provide a solid basis for preserving assets in Massachusetts’ 105 public pension funds, improvements and updates would boost flexibility and investment returns, while promoting accountability and limiting unnecessary risks, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.

Public Pension Math: The State Police Version

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http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2012/06/06/public-pension-math-state-police-version/ The…