Pensions | Reseach

The Fiscal Health of the States

Jeffrey Miron, Robert Sarvis | Feb 13, 2012
This paper examines the fiscal health of the states, focusing on two worrisome characteristics: an understatement of unfunded pension liabilities and ever-increasing expenditures, driven primarily by health care costs.

Rhode Island's Local Pension Debts

Eileen Norcross, Benjamin J. VanMetre | Nov 08, 2011
This working paper shows how Rhode Island’s state and municipal pension systems face large and growing unfunded pension liabilities and provides recommendations for reform.

From Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution

State Pension Plans and the Need for Reform
Scott Beaulier | Oct 11, 2011
America’s fiscal mess, coupled with poor management in the past and changing demographics, guarantees that public pension systems across the country will be reformed. At the margin, the case for more radical shifts from defined benefit to defined contribution plans is strong.

Accounting for the Cost of a Public Sector Worker in New Jersey

Eileen Norcross, Roman Hardgrave | Sep 28, 2011
This study focuses on public sector benefits costs in the state of New Jersey. Along with several other states, New Jersey’s pension system is badly underfunded and health care and other benefits for public sector workers are entirely unfunded.

From Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution

Scott Beaulier | Sep 26, 2011
This paper explores the current state of public pensions across the United States and addresses transition cost and capital flight concerns.

The Fiscal Health of U.S. States

Jeffrey Miron | Aug 15, 2011
This paper examines the fiscal health of the U.S. states by taking a look at state and local debt, including unfunded pension liabilities.

The Relationship Between Taxpayers and Tax Spenders

Does a Zero Tax-Price Matter?
Bruce Yandle, Jody Lipford | Aug 01, 2011
This paper seeks to examine a relationship between the share of citizens who pay taxes, taxpayers, and those who receive federally funded benefits, tax spenders, or what we ordinarily think of as tax beneficiaries.

Public Sector Unionism: A Review

Eileen Norcross | May 18, 2011
This paper by Eileen Norcross reviews the origins, goals, and fiscal effects of public sector unionism.

The "Other" Pension Crisis

Options for Avoiding a Taxpayer Bailout of the PBGC
Charles Blahous | Mar 07, 2011
This paper outlines a framework to resolve the financing shortfall in the pension insurance system.

Eleven Ideas for State Legislatures in 2011

Daniel M. Rothschild | Jan 18, 2011
This Mercatus on Policy paper shares eleven bold reform ideas that could help states balance their 2012 budgets and avoid boom-and-bust budgeting cycles in the future.