Pension funds are using overly optimistic assumptions about investment returns and should treat pension promises as guarantees that need to be backed up by risk-free investments. As a result, actual liabilities are three times higher than what is being reported by state and local pension funds. State and local governments need to change how they plan for future pension costs and set aside more money in order to prevent higher taxes or cuts to services taxpayers enjoy.

For much more, visit www.pensionpursuit.org

Be sure to read “Hidden Debt, Hidden Deficits: 2017 Edition” by Josh Rauh, available here: http://hvr.co/2xd8Un9